Randy “R.D.” Kinsey was born to Mack Hill and Elizabeth Bradham Kinsey on November 19, 1952, on Miami Beach. He transitioned from the earth Monday, July 11, 2022, in Little Rock, AR. At his request, a private burial was held at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery Friday, July 15. The Kinseys invite family and friends to join in a public Celebration of Life event for the many people who loved him, Sunday, July 31 at 3:00 pm at the Albert Pike Memorial Temple, 712 Scott Street, Little Rock, AR. Prior to the Celebration, at 2:00 pm, a motorcade will line up at 821 Magnolia St. NLR to travel to the Scott St. address. The event is catered by CBR’Z Catering and will highlight an intimate private space for friends to share and leave memories for the family.
Raised in South Florida, Randy was educated in the Miami Catholic School System and joined the United States Air Force after graduation. He was eventually stationed in Minot, North Dakota where he served as a military policeman. Honorably discharged in 1972, R.D. began his Civil Service career in the late 1970s by serving fellow Vietnam-era Veterans, assisting them in obtaining VA benefits to which they were entitled. Randy’s initial appointment was working with The Vet Centers, a federal government program designed to assist veterans who had served and been disabled during the Vietnam War. That appointment also led to his relocation to Little Rock in May 1980. Personal experiences later lead to his expanded vision of assisting any Veteran in navigating the VA System to receive needed services for which they qualified.
In 2004, Randy was instrumental in founding the Michael Vann Johnson, Jr. American Legion Post #74 in North Little Rock, a Veterans Service Organization providing a community and support to veterans and military personnel, their families, and the community at large. Founding Commander Kinsey served as Post 74 Commander for 14 years. Under his leadership, Post 74 experienced tremendous growth and became known and well-respected statewide. The Post was instrumental in helping numerous Veterans and their families receive much needed and earned VA benefits.
In 2018, Randy was elected by an overwhelming majority of Legion members across the state of Arkansas, becoming the 2018-2019 American Legion State Commander for the Department of Arkansas. In this role he led nearly 15,000 Arkansas military Veteran men and women in serving God and Country in service to the states’ Veterans and their families. Randy was honored to serve as the first African American Commander in the history of the Department. For over a decade he also served on the National Legislative Commission where he was responsible for assisting in identifying and presenting the National American Legion’s agenda to the U.S. Congress in Washington D.C. That agenda is focused on the needs of our nation’s veterans. He also served as Vice President for the Arkansas Veterans Coalition, a conglomerate of nationally recognized Veterans Service Organizations that promotes legislation to benefit Arkansas’ Veterans.
For well over 45 years, Kinsey was an active member and officer of the International Masonic Lodges. He attained the 33rd Degree, the highest degree in Masonry. He was an active member of 33rd Degree Council. He served ten years as the National District Grand Master for the Gulf Coast Jurisdiction which includes Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas. Kinsey was the Worshipful Master of Pillars of Strength Lodge 38 of North Little Rock, AR.
Randy was married for over 37 years to the love of his life, Dianna Piggee Kinsey. They have been blessed with two daughters, Meredith Kinsey Irby (and her husband, Robert) and Allison B. Kinsey, and two grandsons, Dalen Asher Wilkins and Ryder Wynston Irby. Randy also leaves to cherish his memory his sister, Tameka Turner of Hollywood, Florida, and brother, James Johnson of District Heights, Maryland, a special niece, Kymberly Milton of Daytona Beach, Florida and a very special childhood friend, Michael Thomas. He will also be missed by a host of others including nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends and colleagues.
For COVID, taking necessary precautions and wearing a mask are highly recommended.
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