Kith and Kin: Kirt Kleindienst

Kirt Kleindienst and his son, Kaden, spent some time last Thursday afternoon shooting some hoops at the YMCA of Callaway County.
Kirt Kleindienst and his son, Kaden, spent some time last Thursday afternoon shooting some hoops at the YMCA of Callaway County.

This column serves as a spotlight, highlighting the everyday people who work and live in Callaway County. The Fulton Sun takes a moment with someone who is not usually featured in the news but is just as instrumental in making our community the strong and beautiful place we all know and love.

Kirt Kleindienst is a 2003 North Callaway graduate and has been working for Columbia Water and Light since 2008, serving as a supervisor since 2019.

Kleindienst and his family live between Fulton and Kingdom City. He and his wife, Alecia, have three sons - Caleb Sheets, 14, Kaden Kleindienst, 11, and Lane Evans, 10. They are expecting their fourth child in early August.

Q: What was your first job?

When I was 15, I worked behind the register at McStop (now McDonald's) in Kingdom City.

Q: Who inspires you most?

Overall, a truth teller who stands up straight would be my dad (Callaway County Eastern District Commissioner Randall Kleindienst). I'm happy that I get to continue learning from him.

Q: What have you done in your life that has been the most fulfilling?

Coaching the Callaway Crew 14-and-under and 11-and-under baseball teams. I was fortunate enough to play college baseball at the Division I level (at Eastern Kentucky University) and I can teach the local youth and give them a fairly high level of training.

I have a far greater impact and reach than I thought I ever would, and I want to sustain that for the community.

Q: What is something you are proud of that you have been recognized for?

Honestly, I'm really, really proud that my grandmother got to hold my son, Kaden, in my (family's) five-generation photo, and we have that on both my mom and dad's side.

Q: If you can do any job in the world, what would it be?

Entertainment, something with live music. I play the drums and I love when people are happy. The feeling of the thump (sound) of a good concert is my favorite thing.

Q: What is a job you wouldn't want to do?

I wouldn't want to be a lawyer because you have to bend the truth too much.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Callaway County?

Having so many good people and Tanglewood's (Golf Course) greens.