Kirk Groenig, Central Washington Tea Party founder, dies at 59
Posted on February 20, 2015
Kirk Groenig addresses a crowd of people protesting the proposed national health care plan Aug. 14, 2009 in Yakima, Wash. Groenig, the founder of the Central Washington Tea Party, died Wednesday. He was 59. (GORDON KING/Yakima Herald-Republic file)
ELLENSBURG, Wash. Kirk Groenig, founder of the Central Washington Tea Party, died Wednesday. He was 59.
Groenig, a tireless and outspoken critic in recent years of Democrats and Republicans alike, pushed a hard-line conservative stance on social issues, the economy and immigration. He organized many tea party rallies in Yakima.
Groenig, formerly of Yakima, died at his home in Ellensburg, according to a death notice received by the newspaper from Brookside Funeral Home and Crematory. Further arrangements are pending, according to the notice.
The cause of death could not be confirmed today, although Groenig recently made public posts on social media discussing his struggle with bone cancer.
Groenig is survived by his wife, Lisa Groenig; his children Shawn Groenig, Christine Groenig, Jesse Kuntz and Shannen Kuntz; his sister, Jenny Mansfield; and his brother, Kraig Groenig.
Attempts to contact Groenigs family and friends were not successful Thursday afternoon.
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Kirk Groenig, Central Washington Tea Party founder, dies at 59