Eugene Fantley Kinnaird

Colonel Eugene F. Kinnaird, Sr. (92), passed away peacefully at home on September 1, 2011. He was born in Lexington, KY. He was a member of Southeast Christian Church, a retired Colonel from the KY Air National Guard, and a veteran of the Army Air Corps during World War II.

His passion was flying since his days as a youth when he would hitchhike to Halley Field to wash biplanes owned by Swope Loughridge and Ted Kincannon in return for flights around the airport. He attended Millersburg Military Institute and University of Kentucky. He left UK his sophomore year to join the Army Air Corps. He got caught buzzing the UK campus to impress his future wife. Later he became a pilot for American Airlines until World War II where he served in the South Pacific as commander of a troop carrier squadron. After the war he returned to American Airlines. The family moved to Louisville when he became a fulltime member of the KY Air National Guard where he rose to Vice Wing Commander of the 123rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing. Throughout his carrier he flew over 75 different types of aircraft from biplanes to supersonic jets.

Dad will always be remembered for his devotion to friends and family. His sense of humor and love touched many.

He is survived by his loving wife of 71 years (Jean Douglass), four children; Jane Hodges (Phil) Palos Verdes, CA, Eugene, III (Leah) Miami, FL, Marianne Booth (Wally), and Thomas (Susanne); ten grandchildren, Philip Hodges (Marion), Lee Anne Pinner (Paul), Mary Lynn Crenshaw (Doug), Chris (Chantal), Allen Bridgeman (Stu), Cecy Hagan (Jason), Tommy (Heather), Emily Ray (Teddy), Joseph (Robin), Bethany Curran (Dan) and 23 great grandchildren.

Graveside service will be held Saturday at 10:30 AM at the Lexington Cemetery and Memorial Service with visitation following will be at 3:30 PM at the Arch L. Heady Westport Village FH. 7410 Westport Rd. Louisville, KY 40222.

In lieu of flowers please make expressions of sympathy to the Red Cross (who served Dad faithfully during World War II) or Hosparus of Louisville.