Dec. 11, 1966 – Feb. 21, 2013

A much-loved son, brother, father, grandfather and uncle, Sean Erik Kingaard, 46, of Costa Mesa passed away peacefully at the family home on Feb. 21 with his parents and service dog Xena present. He had bravely confronted and fought cancer and multiple sclerosis. He was born in Newport Beach and resided in Orange County for most of his life.

He ran track, played baseball and soccer during school; attended Newport Harbor High School, Coastline Community College, Santa Ana College, and Santiago Canyon College. He studied veterinary science, digital media, photography and the business of music. Seam earned certification from the Emergency Management Institute for crisis response management and Wildfire Behavior certification from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group Wildland.

Sean was passionate about protecting and rescuing abandoned, abused, injured, and neglected animals. From childhood, he was known to have a special affection for and affect on animals, and later specialized in aggressive and large animal care and training. He supported the care of a gray wolf at the California Wolf Center for conservation and research.

He was a freelance photographer/videographer and talent manager with Slimdog Photography and Behind the Orange Curtain Productions. He promoted and photographed local bands, wildlife, and architecture.

For more than a decade, Sean provided community service to Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center of Huntington Beach, California Wolf Center, Avian Health Group, American Red Cross Disaster and Response Team of Orange County, Coastal German Shepherd Rescue, Oiled Wildlife Care Network, Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur, German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County, Bull Mastiff Rescue of California, Newport Beach Community Emergency Response Team, Australian Shepherd Rescue of Orange County, and police dog training throughout Orange County.

He was a member of California Council of Wildlife Rehabilitators, National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, Discovery Science Center, National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

He is survived by his parents Jan and Bob Kingaard; sister Amber Hughes; daughter Katelyn Blazek-Kingaard; grandson William Hammond; and extended family.

His parents will take his ashes to Wolf Creek, Wyo. A celebration of life will be held for his friends and family in March in Costa Mesa. Sean requested that any memorials be made to the California Wolf Center in Julian, California or Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center of Huntington Beach, California.