David Eynon Kinney, 89 years old, of Southern Pines, North Carolina, passed away on December 26, 2018 at the FirstHealth Hospice House.
David was born in Bronxville, New York on March 23rd, 1929, the first child of Kathryn Eynon Kinney and Joseph Needham Kinney, Jr. David and three siblings (Joseph, Kathryn and Rosemary) grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His father’s work moved the family to Paris and Etretat, France until 1940, when France fell to the Nazis in World War II, upon which the family returned to Pittsburgh. David then studied and graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 1950 with a degree in Chemistry.
David and Alice Jane Bull were married in July of 1952 in her home of Metropolis, Illinois. David worked for General Electric for an amazing 40 years, starting with engineering and manufacturing assignments in the GE lighting business in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1978, David was promoted to GE’s Corporate Headquarters in Fairfield, Connecticut, where he managed a team of GE Consultants, translating best practices of European and Japanese companies into opportunities for GE businesses.
In 1990, when David retired, he and Jane moved to Seven Lakes, North Carolina. David immediately followed his love of golf, both on the course and managing the Seven Lakes Country Club. He also served on the Seven Lakes Community Civic Group, the Moore County Planning Board and a number of other ad hoc development committees that continued his service to the Greater Pinehurst area for more than two decades.
In 2009, David and Jane moved to Belle Meade where he served on a number of committees and as President of the Belle Meade Residents Association for two terms.
Throughout his incredible life, David and Jane extensively traveled the natural world, visiting every continent and an amazing 65 countries to experience their cultures, landscapes and treasures. They also attended more than thirty Elderhostels across the United States. David said his life was made complete by walking the Great Wall of China, listening to the thunder of Victoria Falls, sailing the Gulf of Thailand, walking the beach of Port Eynon, Wales (where David’s maternal grandfather, Lloyd David Eynon was born) and traveling back to see the three natural arches he had known as a young man at the white cliffs of Etretat, France.
David leaves behind his wonderful and always supportive wife of 66 years, Alice Jane Bull Kinney. He also leaves their three children, each accomplished in their chosen field of endeavor; Eric Bull Kinney (Cynthia Fritsch Kinney) of Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan; Bruce Alan Kinney (Karen Peper Kinney) of Boardman, Ohio; and Lisa Kinney Peters (Kenneth Peters) of Stratford, Connecticut. David and Jane also have five grandchildren: Nina, Sarah Jayne, Kyle, Avery and Erica; and two great-grandchildren: Molly Jane and Whitney.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in David’s honor to the Belle Meade Employees Educational Fund and mailed to Belle Meade Senior Living at 100 Gossman Drive, Suite B, Southern Pines, NC 28387.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, January 5 at Belle Meade Retirement Community, 100 Waters Drive, Southern Pines, NC 28387, beginning at 2:00pm, with a reception to follow.
Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst.
