Kenneth Minor Florea – March 20, 1993 – August 30, 2026

A Memorial Service for Kenny Florea will be held at 10:00 a.m., September 19, 2026 at First Baptist Church in Las Animas, Colorado with Pastor Jonathan Busenitz officiating.  

Kenneth Minor Florea, known fondly as Kenny, passed away on August 30, 2026 in Trinidad, Colorado at the age of 33.  He was born on March 20, 1993 to Glen Florea and Sarah (Gilbert) Zink. From a young age, he radiated a happy-go-lucky spirit, excelling both academically and athletically in his youth. Kenny’s life journey was marked by a rare combination of talent, resilience.

Professionally, Kenny was a master craftsman in carpentry, owning and running Kenco Carpentry LLC. His extraordinary skills transformed ordinary wood into extraordinary art. Among his notable creations were a custom display cabinet shaped like a Victorian coffin, commissioned by a prominent Colorado Springs tattoo artist, and the meticulous restoration and installation of wooden components in a vintage Jaguar automobile. These projects exemplified not only his technical expertise but also his artistic vision and the pride he took in his work.

Kenny’s inner strength was perhaps most vividly demonstrated in June 2016, when he survived a severe car accident that resulted in a fractured back and collapsed lung, among other injuries. Defying his condition, he managed to crawl up an embankment and signal for help, eventually walking into the emergency room himself. Before surgery Kenny was told he may be paralyzed from the waist down. Two weeks later despite repairs made to an exploded fracture of a vertebrate and two steel rods Kenny then walked out of the hospital and started his rehabilitation and was back to work in 6 months.

 Kenny found comfort in a quiet existence in Trinidad, Colorado, where he lived with his cherished dog, Kip and cat, Melon, what we liked to call his little family. Those who knew him cherished his gentle soul, sharp wit, and the joy he found in simple pleasures such as walking Kip at the Trinidad dog park and sharing conversations sitting outside with his aunt Becky after work. 

Though a private person and absent from social media, his impact was felt deeply by those fortunate enough to know him. 

Kenny’s story is a tribute to craftsmanship, resilience, and heartfelt connections. Though words scarcely capture his life, those who loved him carry his memory forward with affection —until we all meet again, we love you…

Kenny is survived by his parents, Glen Florea and Sarah Zink; sisters, Amanda Florea, Samantha Rosales, and Addison Florea; nephew, Yessiah Amair Hess; maternal grandfather, Ralph Gilbert; aunts, Becky Gilbert, Cheryl Thompson, Nancy Miller, Melissa Gilbert, Paddy England, and Glenda Lucero; uncle, Jacob Gilbert; great aunt, Janice Hofstedt; a plethora of first cousins, many other relatives and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Carol Gilbert; and paternal grandparents, Steven Barr and Bernadette Strickland.

To leave online condolences, please visit www.valleyfuneralcremation.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Valley Funeral & Cremation in Las Animas, Colorado.