Jack Ray Kinnamon, 68, of El Dorado Springs, passed away on Nov. 8, 2016, in the VA Hospital of Kansas City after a courageous battle with multiple bouts of cancer and chemo therapy. He was born in Nevada on April 21, 1948, to John A. and Wanda Kinnamon.
Jack lived almost all of his life in and around El Dorado Springs. As a young boy he was active in the First Baptist Church and very active in many sports. He was involved early on in Little League as a left-handed first baseman. As he grew older he became a hard running offensive and defensive back for the El Dorado Bulldogs. He also played baseball, basketball, and track for EHS. Later in life he became very proficient at bowling, winning many tournaments.
He graduated from EHS in 1966, and then attended CMS for two years. In 1968, he was drafted into the US Army and was stationed for 18 months in Stuttgart, Germany, where he served in the Intelligence Division. When he returned home (EI Dorado), he worked for Best Finance, and owned and operated the local pool hall for several years. He went to school to become a member of Refrigeration Service Engineers Society. He worked for several years in the building industry installing heating and cooling systems.
In 1974, he was married to Debbie Gundy.
Jack was preceded in death by his father, John A. Kinnamon; his grandparents, Grace and Raymond Debler and John and Anna Kinnamon. He is survived by his mother, Wanda Kinnamon; his sister, Kay Rethemeyer, and husband, Robert; his niece, Robin Knowles, and husband, William; his nephew, Rustin, and wife, Jen; his great niece, Alyssa, and his great nephew, Blake; and a soon to be new nephew. He also leaves many cousins and friends.
Jack was a guy who enjoyed many facets of life. He loved to fish and to hunt. He was always up for a good card game. He used to love to bowl and won many trophies at this sport. He was the chairman for bingo at the Eagle’s Club for years and enjoyed the planning and organizing. He loved a good sporting event of almost any kind, but especially football, baseball, Missouri State basketball and car racing. He was a charter member of the Eagles and enjoyed the camaraderie with friends, games and food.
He also loved El Dorado. It was home. Given opportunities to leave, he always said no (except to US Army). He loved the Picnic. He loved following EHS sports. As ill as he was, he made it slowly up the long stair case to attend his 50th class reunion last summer. However, of all the things he loved, his dogs were at the top. There were many times too many of them, but he loved them.
Jack had an easy smile and a heart of gold. He always had a light in his eye at the thought of his birthday or Christmas. Our family will miss him as will his friends.
We, his family, would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at the VA in Kansas City for the wonderful care he received. They are a truly amazing group of caring, knowledgeable people who went above and beyond to help him. We would also like to thank two very caring local individuals, Larry Roberts and Deanna Johnson, for everything they did for him. They were his rocks.
Graveside services were held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, in the El Dorado Springs City Cemetery. Bonnie Berry officiated. A final tribute was given by Eagles #4279 and military honors were performed. Arrangements were under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be left at: www.blandhackleman.com.
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