Keith Douglas Kincaid

Keith Kincaid of Alexandria, Virginia, passed away of cardiac arrest on Thursday, March 22, 2018, in Fairfax, Virginia. He was 42.
 
Keith was born on August 29, 1975, in Oneida, New York. He was the son of James Kincaid and Roxanne (Meeks) Gohringer, and was also raised by his stepfather, Walter Gohringer. Keith was a graduate of Canastota High School, class of 1993; the University of North Carolina Wilmington, class of 1999; and George Washington University, class of 2003, where he earned a Master's Degree in Media and Public Affairs.
 
On May 30, 2004, he married the love of his life, Ariana Puchol-Salva in Arlington, Virginia. Keith and Ariana met during their senior year in college, and from that point forward they were rarely separated. They settled in a beautiful home they renovated together in Alexandria, Virginia, and their lives were quickly filled with a shared love of animals, including several dogs, cats, and birds. They loved to travel, either to visit family along the East Coast or relax on beaches from Aruba to Spain. They attended comedy shows where they laughed out loud, but they also enjoyed their quiet moments alone—walking their dogs along the river or curling up on the couch for their annual “Lord of the Rings” Christmas marathon. They loved to surprise each with special gifts—a grill for Keith, an aviary for Ariana, among so much more—that each knew the other would treasure. Their greatest gift came to both equally: in February 2018, Keith and Ariana welcomed their beloved daughter, Kalea Reagan, into their lives. While Keith’s time with Kalea was cut tragically short, no one ever saw him happier than he was with Ariana and Kalea.
 
Determined to make the world a better place, Keith was known to his family and friends as an unapologetic optimist. He channeled that passion into his professional life. While still in graduate school in Washington, D.C., Keith began working as an intern at SKDKnickerbocker, a progressive public affairs, media, and political consulting firm. After rising through the ranks, Keith founded his own firm, 2K Strategies, in 2016. Throughout his career, he has helped elect Congressmen, Senators, Governors, and many local officials across the country. Despite a lifetime working in the political arena, Keith never lost his trademark optimism. He had the benefit of being passionate about his work and believing in his purpose.
 
Keith truly lived his life to the fullest, and his passion carried over to his personal interests. He did not believe in half-measures and pursued any hobby or interest with intensity. Keith was an avid fan of Syracuse University, and he was quick to recount being at Madison Square Garden when the Orange defeated Connecticut in six overtimes during the 2009 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament. He rode his bicycle, ran 5Ks, and played basketball every week with his hoops family. He quoted his favorite television shows, “Seinfeld,” “Breaking Bad,” and “Mad Men,” from memory, danced to music he loved, savored a well-made Old Fashioned, and was a mainstay at the poker table—he won and lost in equal amounts but never cared as long as he played with friends. Stories of his generosity are endless, and Keith often volunteered at the Carpenter's Shelter in Alexandria, Va., to improve the lives of chronically homeless children and adults in his community. His passion for life was real, and it was spectacular. 
 
Keith is survived by his wife of 14 years, Ariana, and daughter of five weeks, Kalea, of Alexandria, Va.; mother Roxanne and step-father Walt Gohringer of Canastota, N.Y.; sister Sheilla (Kincaid) Roth and nephew Owen and niece Elizabeth of West Monroe, N.Y.; sister Melissa (Gohringer) and brother-in-law Jeremy Parker, niece Raelynn and nephew Nolan of East Syracuse, N.Y.; brother Jeff Gohringer of Washington, D.C.; in-laws Jose Luis Puchol-Salva and Barbara Albert of Ellicott City, Md., and many aunts, uncles, and cousins across the country. 
 
Friends, family, and all of those whose lives Keith touched are invited to remember his life on Saturday, March 31st at 1 pm ET at Everly-Wheatley Funeral Home in Alexandria, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to Carpenter's Shelter to continue Keith's work helping change lives for the better. To learn more information or to make a donation, please visit http://www.carpentersshelter.org.

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