KINZEL JOHN S

WO1 John S. Kinzel was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 03/07/2021 at the age of 76.3 from Cancer
Memphis, TN
Flight Classes 66-23 and 66-21
Date of Birth 11/14/1944
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with 119 AHC in 67-68
Call sign in Vietnam GATOR 519
This information was provided by Sammie Williams - obit

More detail on this person: John Stuart Kinzel, age 76, died peacefully in the arms of family on March 7, 2021 at his home in Memphis, TN after a courageous battle with cancer. John was born on November 14, 1944 to Wilfred and Dorothy Kinzel in Memphis, TN. He proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War as Aircraft Commander & UH1 helicopter aviator. He served with the 119th Assault Helicopter Company (1966-1969) where he earned 17 air medals and a Purple Heart. After serving in Vietnam, John became an Instructor pilot and Instrument Instructor Pilot at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, GA. John had a successful career as a human resource executive for Rockwell International's power tool division & later Delta International Machinery. Following a successful career in corporate America, John became a founding partner of Bosco's Restaurant and Brewery & Ghost River Brewing. John enjoyed time in the simple pleasures of reading, fishing and Moon Lake living making memories with family and friends. John is survived by his wife, Janet Lee Kinzel, his children Stephen Lee (Ashlie), David Lee (Emilie) and Suzanne Phelps (Jeff), his 8 adoring grandchildren (Hayden, Jordan, Caroline, Logan, Olivia, Ethan, Andrew & Elliott) and nieces, Laura King (Steve), Katherine Lane (Tom) and Mellissa Ferrone (Danny). Family and friends are invited to celebrate the amazing life of John at the Tabernacle Cemetery (3000 Tabernacle Rd., Brownsville, TN 38012) on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at 2:30 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Tabernacle United Methodist Church or to the Wounded Warrior project woundedwarriorproject.org. All services and arrangements are under the direction of the Lea & Simmons Funeral Home in Brownsville, TN.

Burial information: Tabernacle Cemetery, Brownsville, TN

This information was last updated 03/22/2021

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024