Vernon Kinsey

Vernon Kinsey, 90, of Hot Springs, Arkansas passed away January 6, 2012. He was born June 10th, 1921 to Marcus Lawson Kinsey and Cynthia Kinsey in Mazarn Township, Montgomery County, Arkansas. There he was raised along with his six siblings Willis Kinsey, Calvin Kinsey, Hermas Kinsey, Hazel Bryant, Edith Fry, and Uva Breckling. He is survived by children Vernon A Kinsey and wife Deborah, Rick Kinsey and wife Melinda, Bob Kinsey and wife Sheryl, Marc Kinsey and wife Beth, Steve Smedley and wife Rhonda, and by his sister Uva Brecking and her husband Julius. He is preceded in death by his wife Floretta Kinsey, son James Kenneth, and siblings Willis, Calvin, Hermas, Hazel, and Edith. One of his favorite past times was telling terrific boyhood stories and bestowing much needed tough advice to his grand children Brian, Shane, Kyle, Justin, Jayme, Melissa, Ashley, Eyan, Nico, Haley, Ali and his great grand children Brooklyn, Ezra, Ella, and Skylar. After graduating valedictorian from then one room Mt. Ida High School, he went on to study business in Hot Springs and became a bookkeeper for Wilson Meat Packing Company. As the story was told by him, as a young boy, he saw airplanes in the sky and decided he wanted to "fly one of those." He sought out an instructor, and for $65.00 became a private pilot. As a result, many pilots were trained during World War II by Naval Aviator Lieutenant Vernon Kinsey in Pensacola, Florida. After the war, his last mission was to deliver the plane to the bone yard and make his way back home. He became a commercial pilot for Hot Springs Airways and later he made a forty year successful career at Sears and Allstate Insurance. At retirement, his next successful career was a real estate broker. He was a true entrepreneur and a driven businessman. An avid outdoorsman, who loved hunting and fishing his entire life, he truly enjoyed teaching those skills to his children and grand children. He was tough as nails, always gave you the straight hard truth and to him, family and faith always, always came first. Visitation is Tuesday, January 10th from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. and memorial service will be held Wednesday, January 11th at 1:00 p.m. Both will be held in the chapel of Hot Springs Funeral Home with Minister Vance Eubanks of Prairie Grove Christian Church (formerly of Hot Springs Christian Church) officiating. The burial at Peak Cemetery will follow the memorial service.