Lester Dean Kinkade

Lester Dean Frank Kinkade was born on June 23, 1927 in Lansing, Michigan to Robert C. Kinkade and Susan Oswalt Kinkade. He was their second child, and first son. He was called Dean. His father hoped to get work in the automotive industry in Michigan, but the family returned to West Bend Iowa before Dean started school. From a young age, Dean had a great sense of humor and could always make his mother laugh. The family lived in an apartment above the hardware store in West Bend. Many years later, two more children-Robert and Roberta were born to Robert and Susan. In the 1930s, times were hard and money was always lacking. When Dean was in high school, his mother and older sister Eileen took his younger siblings Robert and Roberta to Chicago and divorced Dean's father. Because of the age difference, the move to Chicago and divorce, Dean and his younger siblings were not raised together. As adults, they made an effort to keep in touch.

So at age fifteen, suddenly on his own, and wanting to get an education, Dean lived with various relatives, swept up at the local barbershop, and did odd jobs in order to stay in West Bend and finish high school. One of his teachers impressed upon him that it is not enough to learn, you have to understand what you are learning. This teacher made such an impression on Dean that he credits her for his drive to get an education.

His only transportation during high school was a bicycle he won in a raffle. He was so grateful for that bicycle-and joked that the raffle was “fixed” because so many townspeople wanted to see him succeed.

Dean graduated high school in 1945 and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in hopes of going to college, maybe to study history and become a teacher. He started his military duty in Arizona, then Spokane, Washington. While in Spokane, his status in the USAF changed from active to reserve. He was able to enroll in Gonzaga University. He lived in a renovated house, nicknamed "Dogpatch" across from the University. He enjoyed watching basketball with his friend Tom Elers. Soon after enrolling, Dean met Joyce Hilby through college friend Jim Reardon (who was dating Joyce’s sister Donna), and Dean and Joyce married in September 1948. Dean worked in a beer joint, and went to school while Joyce worked at the hospital. They had two sons: Dennis Dean (Denny) in August 1949 and Gerald Keith (Jerry) in March 1951. A month before Jerry was born; Dean was recalled to active duty. Their first duty station was Sacramento, CA. His job was meteorology – weather forecasting, mapping the weather and determining flight plans for the USAF pilots. Almost immediately they were transferred to Alaska. The living conditions in Alaska were terrible, Dean was never home, and in 1952 Joyce took the boys back to Spokane, WA and divorce soon followed.

With regret, Dean agreed to give his sons up for adoption to Joyce’s new husband. Dean dropped out of their lives, and was transferred to Texas in early 1953.

About this time, people started calling Dean by his first name, Lester or Les. He met Betty Anne Evans in the summer of 1953, at an apartment pool in Houston, TX. After a whirlwind romance, they married December 29, 1953. Anne Craig was the maid of honor; Betty’s brother Wes walked her down the aisle at First Presbyterian Church. Betty’s three brothers had a bet that the marriage wouldn't’t last a year! Being the wife of a military husband was tough at times, the moves, and the separations – for example, they moved twice in the first three years of their marriage! Fiercely independent, they both knew the importance of maintaining their own identities while encouraging the other to seek their dreams. Betty was able to find work as a choir director at nearby churches each time they moved. In addition to music, she pursued her interest in golf and bridge. With Betty’s encouragement Les went to school at night and finished his bachelor degree at Austin College in Sherman, Texas. When asked how they made their marriage work for so many years, they would say, “we married each other for better, for worse, but not for lunch!” Even in retirement, they pursued their own interests and always had lots to talk about over happy hour and dinner.

Leslie Anne was born in April 1956. Just 6 months before Leslie was born, Lester’s Dad Robert (and new wife Gaynell) had a son (half brother to Les) named Duane Kinkade. Duane and Les became close as adults, and Les influenced Duane and Dottie’s son Derek to pursue his interest in meteorology. Derek is currently a weatherman on television-how about that for full circle!

In the late 1950’s, Les was sent to serve in Korea.

After his Korean duty, Betty and Leslie joined Les in Japan. While there, second daughter Kimberly Susan was born-Valentines Day, 1960. Les’ assignment in the 67th RTS at Yakota AFB, Japan was described as classified photo interpreter. His next assignment was Washington DC where he finished his Masters degree in International Relations at the American University - at night; and worked at the Pentagon during the day. After several years in DC, he served in Vietnam in 1966 – 67. Betty and the girls waited for his return in Houston TX, close to Betty’s brother’s (Wes Evans) family.

Upon his return from Vietnam, the family vacationed by TENT camping across the United States-saying hello and farewell to family in Texas, Arizona, California, and Iowa, and then moved to Stuttgart, Germany where Les served as a European Command Briefing Officer for 4+ years. Lester was a great teacher, and his next assignment was teaching AFROTC at Troy State University in Alabama. From there, Lester was assigned to the Strategic Air Command at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota. They made life long friends in the military. Friends from those days included John Abele, Joe Franklin, Roy Stanley, Bob Hart, Dag Larson, Joe Kittinger, Bill Tilger, and many more.

After a 29-year career in the USAF, Lester retired as a Lt. Colonel in 1975. Twelve moves in 29 years and he was ready to settle down. Lester found a job at Wharton County Jr. College in Texas, and they bought a one level house near the country club – a place they could live, work and play the rest of their lives.

Lester was always involved in community - a Freemason, and Deacon at whatever church Betty was employed. When they moved to Wharton TX, he became involved in Rotary International, working in many capacities, including President and Governor’s representative. The Rotary motto “Service above self” was something Lester had lived by his entire adult life. He was named a Paul Harris Fellow. These honorees are members who meet high professional and personal standards set by the founder of Rotary. Over the years, Lester and Betty hosted foreign exchange adults and students and traveled to Ecuador, Germany, Belgium, Norway, England, France and Australia with the Rotary Exchange Program. They made many good friends in Wharton, too numerous to name.

In the early 1980’s sons Denny and Jerry established contact. Betty insisted that they get together. Les was, in his own words, “scared to death and guilty as sin”. But God blessed the reconciliation and many years of family sharing followed. Les often told of meeting Jerry and Sue’s youngest daughter Cyndi. Cyndi asked if she could “call him Grandpa”? With joyful tears, the old/new family was in place. Later in life, when asked his fondest memory, he answered, “ the birth of my children and reconciliation and re-entry of my sons into our lives”. The opportunity to have a relationship with his children made him the happiest Dad.

The children:

Denny and Linda Howson

Grandchildren: Meagan, Leah and Rob

Great Grandchildren: Cyrus; Ryann; Kai, Amara, and Brielle

Jerry and Sue Howson

Grandchildren: Lisa, Nicole and Cyndi

Great grandchildren: Caleb, Jonathan, and Jackson

Leslie Kinkade and Nick Giamarino

Granddaughter: Nikki

Kim and Ken Compton

Grandson: Cory

In Les’ words, ”not bad for an old horse’s ass; who thanks the Lord every day for such wonderful families.”

Lester had a soft heart for children and animals; there were many pets over the years-all considered part of the family. First there were cats, all named Princess (or Prince) by his girls, then when it looked like the family would be in the United States for a while, daughter Kim was allowed to pick out a puppy from the animal shelter in Montgomery Alabama. Named K.T, she was the first of many dogs.

Les was also passionate about the study of the Bible, especially the historical and geographical details. He spent a lot of time researching on his computer and in later years, when mobility became an issue, the computer became his window to the world. He researched all kinds of information, and kept in touch with family and friends via email.

In March 2010, Les’ wife of 57 years passed away at their home in Wharton, TX. By 2010, Les had been in and out of rehabilitation facilities, and was mostly wheelchair bound after surgery in August 2008.

Betty’s obituary appeared in the Wharton Journal-Spectator:

“Betty A. Evans Kinkade, age 86 was called to the Lord on Friday March 12, 2010 at her residence. She was born on July 25, 1923 in Norfolk, Nebraska, the daughter of the late Thomas H. Evans and Elizabeth Podoll Evans. Mrs. Kinkade attended the University of Nebraska and worked in medical technology for many years. She enjoyed her life and travel as a military wife, but was happy to finally settle down in Wharton, where she could continue her interest in golf and bridge. Over the years Mrs. Kinkade enjoyed directing choirs, hosting Rotary exchange fellows and socializing with friends. She lived life to its fullest. She married Lester Dean Frank Kinkade on December 29, 1953 in Houston, TX. Mrs. Kinkade was Methodist by faith and a member of the Wharton Country Cub and Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority. She was also a member of the Medical Technology Society. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers: Vern, Wesley and Robert Evans.

Survivors include her husband Lester Kinkade, daughters and sons-in-law, Kim and Ken Compton of Sebring, FL and Leslie Kinkade and Nick Giamarino of Marietta, GA; Les’ two sons and wives, Gerald and Sue Howson of Des Moines, WA and Dennis and Linda Howson of Bellingham, WA; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.”

Without Betty in Wharton, and knowing that staying in Texas by himself would be very stressful to his children, he offered to leave his home, and friends of 35 years and move to Georgia to be closer to his daughters. He moved into a nursing home near Leslie in Marietta, GA in May 2010.

Depressed and lonely, he fought hard to tie up loose ends, eat in the dining room (instead of his room, or bed), attend Bible study, attend any musical entertainment offered at the nursing home, and do his rehabilitation workout every day. He was always SO glad to see his family (he usually had a list of errands, concerns, assignments and snacks he was craving!). He loved to laugh with visitors, had a quick smile for everyone, and advised any one who would listen the importance of saving for their future, and investing in their education.

He prayed and meditated every day - for his family, for America, and when he was ready, to die – He would pray: “O death, where is thy sting, O grave, where is thy victory?”

During Memorial weekend - May 28th 2011 this lovely, American Patriot joined his wife Betty in heaven.

It was a little more than a year after Betty passed away, after taxes were filed and paperwork was in order, that Les’ obituary also appeared in the Wharton Journal-Spectator.

Les lived life to its fullest, loved to socialize, was the life of the party, and had a great laugh. A wonderful storyteller, when he was teaching he carried a small notebook of punch lines so he could easily find an appropriate joke to keep the students engaged. His sense of humor was contagious.

His ability to make people laugh did not lessen his dedication to the more serious parts of life. He was devoted to his country, and his work ethic was immense. Joe Franklin from Yakota AFB days recently described Lester as a “Stalwart of Dignity and Duty”.

The words in this biography hardly scratch the surface of the life of this man. There are so many special stories. We are proud of him, we are better people because we knew him, and will miss him always.

LTC Lester Dean Frank Kinkade (USAF Ret.)

Mr. Lester Dean Frank Kinkade, age 83, was called to the Lord on May 28, 2011 in Marietta, Georgia. He was born June 23, 1927 in Lansing, Michigan, the son of Robert C. Kinkade and Susan Oswalt Kinkade. Lester Dean received a Bachelors' Degree from Austin College and a Masters Degree from American University. He married Betty Anne Evans on December 29, 1953 in Houston, Texas. A career officer in the US Air Force, Lester Dean served in both Korea and Vietnam. After a diverse and rewarding Air Force career, Lester and his wife Betty retired to Wharton, TX in 1975 where he was employed at Wharton County Junior College. He was a Mason, Rotarian, member of the American Legion and VFW.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Betty and sister Eileen. Survivors include daughters Kim Compton and husband Ken, Leslie Kinkade and husband Nick Giamarino, sons Gerald Howson and wife Susan, Dennis Howson and wife Linda, brothers Bob Kinkade and wife Masako, Duane Kinkade and wife Dottie; sister Roberta Gardner; numerous grandchildren, great- grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services will be held at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia October 28, 2011. In lieu of flowers, the family encouages donations to the charity of your choice.

Georgia Memorial Park Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. 770-432-0771 www.georgiamemorialpark.com or www.mem.com