Richard D. Kinkade, age 84, formerly of Bloomington, Illinois, Richardson, Texas and then Allen, Texas, passed away on December 7, 2012. Richard was born on February 5, 1928 in Toronto, Ohio to James and Florence (Grindle) Kinkade. Raised in Toronto, Richard aspired to be and became a Professional Musician. In 1946, he traveled to New York and became a member of the Paul Whiteman Orchestra. In 1947, he was drafted into the US Army, where for the next two years he played in the band. Discharged in 1949, he attended Ohio State University and attended the 1950 Rose Bowl where he played in the band. He graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in Music Education.
The Korean War reactivated Richard into the Service, this time to the US Air Force. While on active duty in Fort Polk, LA, he met Betty Jo Thompson. They married on December 27, 1953. The couple moved to Columbus, Ohio, where Richard began his Employment and Career with State Farm Insurance. Richard also attended night Law School at Franklin University in Columbus. He received his Law degree and became a member of the Ohio Bar Association. His State Farm career moved Richard and his Family to Philadelphia, PA, Frederick, MD and finally to Bloomington, IL.
He is survived by his children, Richard Douglas Kinkade, Jr. and wife, Julie of Dallas, Texas, Kathleen K. Vardell and husband, Don of Richardson, Texas, James Kinkade and wife, Vanessa of Suwanee, Georgia, and William Kinkade and wife, Kathi Marshall of Dallas, Texas; grandchildren, Rachel Buckley and husband, John Paul, Laura Vardell, Blake Vardell and wife, Bergen, Brady Kinkade, Brianna Kinkade, and Brigett Kinkade; and great-grandson, Sam Buckley.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Florence Kinkade, wife, Betty Jo Kinkade, sister, Olive "Till" Symons, and brother, Thomas Kinkade.
A memorial service will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church at 3:00 pm on December 29, 2012. Inurnment will be held before the memorial service for the immediate family at Park Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
The family would like to thank all of the staff at Groom’s Residence and Compassionate Care Hospice for the care they gave to Richard.