Robert Lewis Kinlaw's Obituary
Robert Lewis Kinlaw, 88, of Madison, Tennessee, passed away on Thursday, June 23, 2022. He was born on March 21, 1934 in Lumberton, North Carolina to the late Myrtle and Neil Kinlaw. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Jerry Kinlaw.
Mr. Kinlaw is survived by his partner of 21 years, Inez Nelson, four children, Beverly Flannigan (Charlie), Marla Kaye Mangrum, Robert Lewis Kinlaw, Jr., and Tony K. Kinlaw and his partner Martha Barfield, seven grandchildren, Marla Kristine Kinlaw, Jason Robert Kinlaw, Jada Crumley, Sarah Industry, Bonnie Pelliccia, Chris Sapp, Emily Mangrum, Becky Mangrum and Tonni Amelia Ruth Kinlaw, several great-grandchildren, three sisters, Joyce Ede, Myrna White (Phil), and Teresa Wells and several nieces and nephews.
After high school, Mr. Kinlaw played pro baseball for the farm team to the Cincinnati Reds in 1952. He soon went into the US Army where he was a Morse Code intercept operator, learned to be a combat attack helicopter fighter pilot, test pilot, the Korean War, two tours in Vietnam and retired Chief Warrant Officer Three. He was a proud combat veteran and patriot even running fundraisers and awareness for POWs. Later he would even retire a second time from the State of Tennessee Veteran Affairs. Before and after retirement he was an avid golfer having played as recently as a few years ago in a Two Rivers Golf League. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday, July 10 from five o’clock in the afternoon until eight o’clock in the evening at Spring Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5110 Gallatin Road in Nashville. The funeral will be held the following day at twelve o’clock in the afternoon also at the funeral home with visiting one hour prior to the service. The committal service will immediately follow.
Memorial contributions can be made in Mr. Kinlaw’s name to the Wounded Warriors Project of the VFW.
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