Norman Wayne Kinard

Norman Wayne Kinard, age 83 of Houston, TX passed away Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at MD Anderson Hospital. He was born in Houston, TX on October 5, 1939, to parents Everad Bert Kinard and Mamie Miller Kinard. Norman’s formal education was only through the 8th grade, when he chose to quit school. His keen mind, business sense, and pure common sense proved far superior for his walk through life. He met Annie Dolores Irwin in Houston, TX in September of 1956 and married on December 22, 1956.

Norman will be remembered for his larger-than life personality. The gift of gab was maximized in this beautiful man. His love for his family and all who loved him, allowed for this wonderful man to flourish in his God given gifts. Humor and laughter were his way of dealing with everything and anything that life dealt him. Norman loved and adored Dolores and his children, spending every lasting minute in their presence when possible.

Norman loved spending time at the farm in Columbus with his family. Working the farm, using his tractor, cutting and trimming trees, fishing, pampering and feeding his donkeys, made him feel and act like a kid in a candy store.

Norman worked hard all his life in many different capacities to help support the family. The ultimate entrepreneur you might say. He started at age 7 with a paper route in the Heights. Later he went into sheet metal work before becoming a painter at General Electric. Norman knowing that he was not cut out to be an employee in a company environment, ventured into a mega successful career of self-employment, establishing, and owning many different businesses. First, he managed a family-owned produce stand. Needing a bigger challenge, he decided to move forward with his ventures. First with a trading post, before boldly opening and running a used car business, “Sunset Motors”, for the next 25 years. Because of ongoing issues our mother had with her washing machine, dad self-educated himself in appliance repair. With dad’s business sense, an appliance business evolved doing repair and sales in conjunction with the car business. From this, “Kinard’s Sales and Service” was born, culminating into a very successful 48-year career for his son, Robert, which dad was very proud of. Mike his younger son who has worked in the computerized telephone business for years, was approached early on, by ROLM (later purchased by IBM, then Siemens) about his Dad being a contractor who would install cabling for them. Not knowing a thing about cabling but loving a challenge, Dad jumped at the opportunity to learn something new. This successful company, known as “Line One Communications”, lasted for 30 years until he retired in 2010, this business laid the groundwork for what Dad would do as future work. Dad the entrepreneur, began purchasing houses on the very street where he lived, this small rental property empire which continues on today, allowed for a comfortable and gracious life.

Norman is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Dolores, sons Robert, Mike and wife Tammy, and daughter Janet; grandchildren Andy (Lauren), Taylor (Jennifer), Lucas (Rebecca), and Matt (Kelly); great-grandchildren Caleb, Callan, Tanner, Henry, Shelby, Owen, William, and a new baby due in June; brother-in-law Harry Bronikowski, sisters-in-law Alice Berryhill, and Shelby Kinard.

Preceded in death by his parents, Everad and Mamie; Sisters, Dorothy Snell and Delores Bronikowski; Brothers, Bert, Marvin, and Bobby Kinard; Daughter-in-law Sallie Kinard.

Pallbearers will be his sons and grandsons, Robert, Mike, Andy, Taylor, Lucas, and Matt Kinard. Honorary Pallbearers Janet and Tammy Kinard. This is to display the love, honor, and respect that his family has for this special man, our Dad and Papa.

Special thanks to our Mom for standing by and caring for our Dad in all matters: Business, health, and life, Dad would not have been nearly as successful without her by his side.

Special thanks to our beloved daughter and sister Janet, for supporting and being there for Mom and Dad’s everyday challenges, while managing a demanding full time job.

Our family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to all who knew and loved our Dad. Also, a special thanks to the doctors and nurses who took care of dad through the years with dignity and grace.