James Woodrow Kinsey's Obituary
James Woodrow (Woody) Kinsey, born September 27th, 1922, passed away on January 20 after a long illness. He was the first of four brothers all born to Ordie and May Kinsey on a small farm north of Bolivar located near Huron. After graduating from Goodson High School in 1941, he entered the Army/Air Force in December of 1942. After completing basic training, the Army/Air Force assigned him to the 583rd Signal Air Corp located in the Pacific Asian theatre. He participated in five land invasions, including New Guinea, the Philippines and the East Indies. He was preparing to be part of the invasion force of Japan when President Truman signed the surrender treaty with the Japanese. He in turn became part of the occupation force on mainland Japan. After the discharge from military service in 1945, he found employment as an assistant at Carver Jewelry Store. While serving at the jewelry store, he met Ernestine Stewart. They were to marry five years later in August of 1950. By 1946 Woodrow had completed an Associate’s Degree from Southwest Baptist and started what became a 35 year c areer as an educator mostly in the Bolivar School Systems. During that 35 year span, he first taught in the high school classroom teaching classes in the social sciences; in the later part of his career he was promoted to assistant principle and principle until his retirement in 1982. During the course of those 35 years he went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree from Southwest Missouri State and a Master’s Degree from Drury College. Woodrow’s organizational ties included a membership in the First Baptist Church for 45 years, serving as a Sunday School teacher and a lifelong member of the Rotary Club where he served as President. Other civic clubs included the Junior Chamber of Commerce and American Legion. A contribution Woodrow made to many civic organizations in the Bolivar Community was preparation and cooking of several thousand broilers. Woodrow took great pride as a charter member of the World War II Memorial on the national mall in Washington DC and had the opportunity to visit this site twice during the past decade. He was political active serving as on Polk County Committee of the Democrat Party and participated directly in many of the activities of the party including accompanying his wife to two separate Democrat Conventions in 1980 and 2008. One special event for both his wife and he was an attending a reception at the White House hosted by President Carter. Woodrow found popularity among his students over the years he served on the faculty as students time and again selected him as senior class sponsor, which resulted in over a dozen trips to Washington DC with the senior classes. Woodrow most importantly will be remembered as a wonderful husband and Father by his son and wife. He is survived by his wife Ernestine of 59 years, a son Timothy Stewart Kinsey and wife Cynthia in Leesburg, VA, three children: Rachael of Honolulu, Hawaii, Jacob and Rebecca both of Leesburg, VA. A brother Tom Kinsey and wife Lee reside in Springfield, while a second brother Don and wife Nancy reside in St. Louis. Further survivors include a sister-in-law Harlene Easter of Bolivar and several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations to the St Jude Children’s Hospital would be appreciated. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, January 24, 2010 at 1:00 PM in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Billy Russell officiating. Bob Martin will be giving a Eulogy. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery in Bolivar. Military Honors will be conducted by the AMVETS Post #114, Flemington, MO A Visitation will be held on Saturday Evening from 6-8 PM in the Butler Chapel. Friends may sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com Return to top
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