Jimmie Gaharan Kinnison, 84, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 23, 2017 at North Oaks Hospital in Hammond, Louisiana surrounded by family. He was born on December 29, 1932 in Olla, Louisiana to Albert and Linnie Riser Kinnison. Jim grew up in Clarks, Louisiana. He graduated from Clarks High School in 1951. After high school, he attended college at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana where he received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Jim served his country in the United States Army, 1955-1959, including serving in the 101st Airborne Division. He attended Louisiana State University from 1959-1960 receiving his Master’s in Business Administration. He was called back to active duty in 1961 for one year during the Berlin Crisis and then served in the Army Reserves for 25 years retiring as a Colonel. Jim began his career at Southeastern Louisiana University in 1960 serving as an associate professor and as the head of the Department of Accounting, where he worked for 26 years and then retired in 1986. He owned and operated Kinnison and Kinnison, CPA for many years.
Jim married Ruth Nell Miller in 1963 in Mt. Hermon, Louisiana. They were happily married for 53 years. Jim attended First Baptist Church, Immanuel Baptist Church, and Woodland Park Baptist Church. He was a charter member of Immanuel Baptist Church and a member of Gideon International. He was awarded the honor of Deacon Emeritus for his dedicated service. He was a faithful Sunday School teacher at each church and volunteered alongside Ruth with the Volunteer Christian Builders. He enjoyed traveling, woodworking, fishing, and working in his garden. He spent countless hours with his children and grandchildren, watching them as they grew. He was an avid Southeastern fan, cheering on the Lions no matter the sport. He would strike up conversation with anyone and never failed to remind them that “Jesus loved them and he did too.”
Jim was preceded in death by an infant daughter, his parents Albert and Linnie Kinnison; his brother, Albert Elmer Kinnison, and his sister, Myrtice Honeycutt.
Jim is survived by his wife Ruth Nell of Hammond, Louisiana; his daughter JoAn Cook of Denham Springs, Louisiana; his son David Kinnison (wife Shonda) of Hammond, Louisiana; and his daughter Kathy Kinnison of Cullman, Alabama; his grandchildren, Brady Cook (wife Carmen), Laken Cook, Courtney Kinnison, Payton Cook, and Taylor Kinnison; his great-granddaughter Cadence Cook.
The family will be greeting friends and relatives at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home 2000 N. Morrison Blvd. Hammond, Louisiana 70401 on Friday 6:00-9:00PM and continue Saturday morning at 9:00AM and a Funeral Service Celebrating Jimmie’s life will immediately follow visitation at 10:00AM in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow at Mt. Hermon Cemetery in Mt Hermon, Louisiana.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to The Gideon’s International P.O. Box 140800 Nashville, TN 37214 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, TN 38105 in Jimmie’s memory.
Condolences may be left on Jimmie Kinnison’s guest book at www.harrymckneely.com
Matthew 25:40 – “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
“Paw Paw, we are going to miss you so much. We love you a bushel and a peck, and a hug around your neck” – Your Grandkids
