of Little Rock, AR
December 16, 1932 - October 30, 2021
Gene Kinney, 88, of Little Rock, went to be with the Lord October 30, 2021. Rev. Kinney was a native of Indiana where he met his wife of 69 years, Beverly See. He worked with the FBI in Washington during the Hoover years and went on to serve his country in the United States Air Force. Following his service to our country, he attended the University of Notre Dame and graduated from Purdue University. He later earned a Masters of Divinity from Hamma School of Theology, ELCA, in Springfield Ohio. From there he went on to pastor four churches in Indiana and Ohio and served as interim pastor in four more after his retirement. He was an avid amateur radio operator for many years and earned the coveted license classification of Extra. His call sign was KO9E. The ham radio community is saddened to learn that on October 30, 2021, Gene went ''silent key.'' He also enjoyed woodworking, beekeeping, and was a photography enthusiast who developed his own photographs for years. He was a loving husband, devoted father, and beloved pastor.
He was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth and Wilma Kinney, and his brothers Max and Keith Kinney. Gene is survived by his loving wife, Beverly Kinney; son, Greg Kinney (Minette) and daughter, Renee Reed (Tim), six grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and sister Judy Stanley (Donald).
Memorial contributions may be made to Lutheran Military Veterans and Families Ministries, Inc. (260) 755-2239, www.lmvfm.org
Visitation will be Sunday, November 7, 2021, 5:00 - 6:30 PM, at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held on November 8, 2021, 11:00 AM, at St. Andrew's Church, 8300 Kanis Rd, Little Rock, Arkansas.
We are so sorry for your family's loss of Gene. Gene volunteered at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo from 2017 - 2019, when he moved to Arkansas. Gene enjoyed helping in our Commissary preparing diets for some of the animals in our care. He also loved to engage with our guests and share animal information with them. Gene had a wonderful sense of humor and made everyone feel comfortable and welcome. We will miss our friend!
PK was our friend, pastor and bee buddy and We had his friendship at the arrival of our son. We will always cherish the years with Bev and him. Always in our hearts and prayers.
Pastor Kinney was my first pastor, and instrumental in my decision to convert from Judaism. We met attending the classes about the Lutheran Church, and he baptized me and our daughter. Bev, your grace and welcoming ways made it so easy for me to become a “church ladyâ€! Pastor Kinney was such a kind and caring man, and we’ve lost a good friend and a wonderful pastor. My prayers are with you and your family.
Sorry this is late, yet wanted to express my sincere condolences. He was my first true pastor and he was who put me on my path to becoming a minister. I have thought of you both often through the years and have missed you. Debbie Collins from KOG also with me, both send our thoughts and prayers.
Dear Beverly, we are sad for you and your family to hear of the passing of Pastor Kinney. He was a wonderful man and pastor and will be greatly missed. Please know that you & family are in our prayers as we ask our Father who does all things well to strengthen you as you grieve.
Love and Prayers ,
Kevin & Beth King
Dear Beverly and Family-
We are so sorry to hear of your loss and are praying for you and your family. PK was a blessing to St. Mark's in Uniondale and had a great impact on my family. Praying for God's peace to you and your family. Condolences from the McCabe family-Bill, Melissa, Alex, Connor, Stuart, & Madeline
Dear Bev,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, May our Heavenly Father bless you and keep you in His care at this difficult time. Love, Erlus Horner Shatara
Bev, I am so sad to read of your dear husband's death! ;-(( Both of you were so loved here at St. Mark's in Evansville!! May God bless you and keep you in His care!!
Remember how a car-load of us came to visit you in Ft. Wayne??? Dear me!!! I think Nancy Mitchell was our driver!
Gene's obit was in our E'ville paper. Remembering you in my thoughts and prayers, Erlus Horner Shatara
When I began working as parish secretary at St. Mark's, Evansville in the 1980's, PK was the pastor there at that time. I so enjoyed working with him as he was the nicest kindest person. He was also well liked by his parishioners. He loved his family and had a zest for life. Beverly, Rene, and Greg, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear Bev and family.
Sending our condolences. PK was a very special person, a true pastor, leading his flock. You were both important individuals in our lives. He will be greatly missed.
Dear Beverly,
I am so saddened to hear of Genes death. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
My family and I our saddened by our beloved Pastors passing. Gene was not only a fine example of a man of the cloth but a great friend, fellow and confidant, gracing St Marks in Evansville, IN with an extraordinary Lutheran demeanor.
John 14:1-3
Dear Beverly,
I’m so sorry about your loss. Heaven definitely received an angel. May you and your family receive comfort in memories. Prayers and thoughts from a former Deaconess Hospital co-worker.
Sincere condolences to Beverly and family. I remember your friendliness ( both of you) when I first attended King if Glory in Carmel, IN.
I believe Gene had a twin who was at Mulberry Lutheran Hone??
Sending our heartfelt sympathy in the loss of your husband, father and grandfather. Gene was an amazing person who never met a stranger. He lived his faith and was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.
God bless you all.
I am sorry for the passing of your beloved husband and father. He was a good man and loved by many He is with our Lord.
Bev and family. Sorry to hear of the passing of PK. You were great neighbors. Will keep you in our prayers
Dear Bev,
My heart goes out to you and your family in your grief. Gene was a colleague to follow as I entered my first call in Bluffton, IN. He helped "show me the ropes" and mentored me as I began my life as a pastor. I give thanks for his gentle guidance and faithful shepherding of God's people! "For all the saints, who from their labors rest..."
Blessings,
Jerry
Bev and Family,
I am very thankful for Gene's witness to me personally and for his service to our IK Synod. He was a true servant of Christ and His Church. Peace and strength to you all In Him.
I was so sad to hear about your loss. The memories of our time together at Indiana University as we introduced Michael, my son, to its campus are still treasures in my heart. Remember all the one-way streets and Gene’s determination to find parking as close to the school of music as possible? We laughed so much and had so much fun with you and with Renee. Much love and many prayers as you…and all those who loved him including me…transition to a world with one less wonderful person.
I am so sorry for your loss.
I am so sad to hear this news. Gene was a good friend and mentor at a difficult time in my life. Peace to you, Beverly. My prayers are with you!
Bev and family,
To a newby pastor long, long ago Gene was a treasured mentor and colleague. Peace and strength to all of you. Kathy and I are very sorry for your loss.
Dear Bev and family,
Our family was saddened to hear about PK. We have many happy memories of our time at Grace Lutheran when the girls were growing up. Love to you, Greg and Renee. Our condolences.
My sincere condolences to the entire family, especially to you, Bev. I always remember your collegiality on the Global Mission Committee of the synod. And I remember having met and talked with Gene at synod assemblies over the years. My prayer for all of you is that you will be comforted with the good news of the resurrection to new and eternal life. Tim
Dear Bev and family, We were so saddened to hear the news of Genes’ passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We could not have asked for any better neighbors and friends. Our love to you always.
Bev, how saddened I am to hear this news. Those Kinney brothers: beacons of care, support, good humor and compassion to many. I think of you now with a broken heart, remembering how you, too, were always a shining light in the few encounters we had. Gene, Keith, Rosalind, you…all touched my life in very meaningful ways. Hugs from afar…memories for always.
Bev and Family: We wish to send our sympathy and prayers to all of you. PK was such a wonderful pastor to us and we enjoyed spending time with him over the years. He will be truly missed.
Gene, or PK as he was known, was my pastor at St. Mark’s in Evansville, IN. I was part of the SAPS group, single adult persons that met with PK every Friday night. It was a remarkable time of spiritual growth for me. Gene was responsible for sending me off to seminary 33 years ago. Thank you PK. Bev and PK were great friends. Bev, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Dave Doane
Bev, you and your family are in our prayers. PK was a great pastor and friend.
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
We were fortunate to have had Gene and Beverly as friends and neighbors for a few years before they moved to Little Rock to be near their family. We had many conversations with Gene when he was out walking Sophie, always with a twinkle in his eye, a kind word and a smile on his face! Much love and condolences to Beverly and family.