Carl Vance “Pete” Kinser of Gallatin, Tennessee, went home surrounded by his four daughters, on March 19, 2025 after a short illness. He was born on December 5, 1949 in Shelbyville, Tennessee, the eldest son of Jewel Burris and Edward Jackson Kinser. He was the beloved husband of Cathy McClanahan Kinser for fifty-five years prior to her death. His life goals were to go Home, love Cathy all of their lives, and leave a lasting legacy for his girls and their families. By every measure, he succeeded.
Pete grew up in Shelbyville, Tennessee with his siblings, Malinda Kinser Wilson, Dakin Kinser and Kandee Kinser Walker, graduating from Shelbyville Central High School with a diploma and the love of his life, Cathy. He graduated from Middle Tennessee State University and joined the Army as an officer, where he served as a First Lieutenant. He lived abroad in Germany, where he and Cathy went on big adventures.
The greatest adventure they shared was parenthood. He is survived by his four daughters: Andrea Kinser Johnson (Jason), Sara Kinser Jones (Nathan), Carli Kinser Stockton (Robert), and Katie Kinser Dickey (Keith), who believed in his ability to fix anything, except his compulsion to go to yard sales. He gave them many great gifts including the knowledge of Jesus, a great love and devotion to their mother, wanderlust, educations, stong wills, stonger opinions and music, particularly a love of ABBA.
He was a devoted grandfather, known as Pa Pete to Claire Johnson, Noah Jones, Chase Johnson (Lauren), Macy Jones, Chad Johnson (Mary), Molly Jones, Cody Johnson, Emma Jones, Jordon Jones, Bradyn Dickey, Sophia Stockton, Emery Dickey, Everett Stockton, Ava Dickey, Elijah Stockton, and River Dickey. He had one great-grandson, Beren Johnson, If you spoke to him at any length, you were likely to get a story about one or more of these kids. If they spoke to him at any length, they would learn random facts about the Presidents.
Pete pursued life long learning, earning an MBA, a law degree, and a plethora of professional certifications. He would read four books at a time, study with intensity the things that interested him, pursued obscure trivia, and showed creativity by every so often making up facts. He retired from State Farm Insurance after a forty-five year career. He was a passionate and capable teacher and speaker. He used these talents most often in sharing his faith and knowledge of Christ.
Pete placed his hope in God through his relationship with Christ. He was an active member of the Helena church of Christ in Alabama, and more recently at Creekview church of Christ in Gallatin. He was devoted in his faith and allowed it to direct his life. Of all the things he wanted for his family, a relationship with God was his greatest desire.
He believed in the power and sanctity of friendship, sharing something so precious with a select few. He treasured his dearest friends, Vallerie and Rockin’ Ray Tade, Larry Rush, Jason Johnson, Nathan Jones, Robert Stockton, and Keith Dickey. He spoke of these special people with appreciation and love.
There will be a visitation starting at 11:00 am and celebration of his life to follow at 1:00 at Doak Howell Funeral Home in Shelbyville, Tennessee on Saturday, March 22, 2025. He will be laid to rest at Willow Mount Cemetery following the service. The family will receive guests at a reception visitation after the internment at the Walker Farm located at 289 Clyde Gleaves Road, Wartrace, Tennessee.
To honor him and the family, please research a random fact about one of the US Presidents and share with someone you love. Memorial contributions can be made to Sacred Selections at sacredselections.org.