R.L. Dick Kinsel, Sr.

Richard Lee “Dick” Kinsel, Sr. passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 19, 2015. Dick was 84 years old, being born in San Antonio, Texas, on October 8, 1930. He was a longtime Houston resident and a prominent and respected businessman. He is preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Mary Ann Blanton Kinsel but he leaves behind many beloved family members and friends. He is survived by his wife, Faye Jenson Kinsel and her loving family of 3 sons, 1 daughter and their families. Other survivors are Dick and Mary Ann’s two sons, Richard L. Kinsel, Jr. and wife Janice of the Houston area and Keith Allen Kinsel, Sr. and his wife Paula of Stephenville, Texas, as well as his numerous grandchildren. Other family survivors are Dick’s siblings, Jay Thomas “Tommy” Kinsel, Karen A. Stieler and Sandra Jane “Pogo” Vlasek, along with their spouses and many nieces and nephews of the Kerrville area. Other surviving relatives include cousins in the Greater San Antonio area, not forgetting his beloved in-laws and numerous relatives scattered throughout Texas. Although being born and living in San Antonio and Dallas for his formative years, Dick attended Patty S. Welder High School, Victoria, Texas, graduating in 1948. Being an outstanding athlete he played varsity basketball, baseball and football while there. After attending Victoria College for 2 years, he and Mary Ann ventured off to Portland, Oregon as Dick had enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He served his country for 3 years then moved back to Texas where he proudly joined the Guadalupe Valley Corp at Texas A & M University in College Station, graduating in May 1956. Being the enterprising young man he was, in 1965, he founded R.L. Kinsel Company and became a premier vendor of various brands of construction equipment throughout Houston and surrounding areas. After selling this company and retiring, he and his son Richard founded another company, Kinsel Industries, Inc. in 1975, which primarily served the construction needs of the oil and gas industry. The company later grew, under Richard Kinsel, Jr.’s leadership, to become one of the larger civil contractors in Houston. Since his permanent retirement in 1985, Dick spent many memorable and cherished years with his loved ones and enjoyed his favorite hobbies of hunting, fishing, and watching sports. He was a devoted member of Sagemont Church, establishing bonding friendships while practicing his Christian faith. A visitation will be held Monday, May 25, 2015 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Forest Park East Funeral Home in Webster, Texas. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at 12:30 p.m. at Forest Park East Funeral Home with interment to immediately follow in Forest Park East Cemetery.