Kenneth Warren Kinne

Mr. Kenneth Warren Kinne, age 85, of Columbia, Tennessee passed away on Monday, December 28, 2015 at his residence following an extending illness.

Warren was born on March 2, 1930 in Los Angeles, California to Kenneth C Kinne and Alberta F. Johnson Kinne. He was the husband of Thelma Doreen Pedersen Kinne who supported him in all his endeavors.

Kenneth’s love for flying began when he was a little boy. Even then he had his eye on the sky – dreaming of being a pilot. His love affair with flying coming to fruition coincided with his newly minted love for his wife. Five days after his wedding to Doreen, he enlisted and began active duty during the Korean War. As a pilot in the Air Force, he flew 101 air missions – finally fulfilling his boyhood dream. After his return from the war he went to work for American Airlines, spending 30 years with them. His title was Captain K. W. Kinne. Even after retirement, he still thought about flight. It was then that he began restoring and building vintage aircraft, winning awards such as the Lindbergh Trophy at Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Captain Kinne is survived by his wife: Doreen Kinne of Columbia; children: Donna Doreen Kinne of Post Falls, Idaho and Linda Kinne (Rob) Johnson of Columbia, Tennessee; 7 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents: Kenneth and Alberta F. Johnson Kinne; and son: Craig Warren Kinne.

The family will celebrate Warren’s life with a memorial service at Williams Funeral Home at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 7, 2016.

Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements and online condolences may be made at www.williamsfh.com .