Derek Godfrey GC KINNE

KINNE, Derek Godfrey GC Derek Kinne passed from this life on February 6, 2018 at home surrounded by his loving family. Born on January 11, 1931 in Leeds England to Adolphus and Vincenza Kinne. He is survived by his sister, Christina Maturi. Derek now joins his beloved siblings Raymond, Ernest, Anthony, and Victoria. In his 87 years of life, Derek was fearless in his pursuit of a good life. He was an iron worker, a welder, a business owner and a highly decorated British soldier. Most importantly he was a devoted, loving, and generous husband, father, and grandfather. Derek was conscripted at 18 as a National Serviceman in England shortly after WWII. After training in Britain and North Africa for two years he finished his service and was told by his commanding officer he would never make a soldier. Derek's older brother Raymond had also been in National Service and had stayed in the Army. While in Hong Kong with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Raymond's regiment was called up for service in Korea. Raymond was killed in action at the age of 23. Raymond, Derek and his younger brother, Ernest had made a pact before Raymond left England that if he went missing the next brother would come to bring him home. The three brothers exchanged rings to seal their pact. Derek then reenlisted in the Army and was assigned to the Royal Northumberland Fusilier. Derek fought and was captured at the Battle of the Imjin River while his Battalion was overrun by the Chinese. Derek spent the next two years and four months as a POW. He, along with so many other United Nations prisoners, was beaten, tortured and starved. He was released in Operation Little Switch at the end of the war; one of the last prisoners to be exchanged. For his heroism during his time in captivity, Fusilier Kinne was awarded the George Cross, one of Britains highest military awards by Queen Elizabeth II in 1954. Derek returned every two years to London to the reunions of the Victoria Cross/George Cross Association until 2014. Derek met Anne Boyle in his hometown of Leeds in 1954 and they were married in 1959. For Derek it had been love at first sight. They were married in Ottawa, Canada and traveled throughout Canada and the US while Derek employed as an ironworker. Derek and Anne settled in Tucson in 1961. Derek became a welder and worked on the Titan Two Missile installation around the US and in Tucson. Derek worked as a welder until 1967 when he and Anne bought a picture framing business. They owned Glasgow-Kinne and eventually A&A Laminators, for 38 years. Derek always said that he had lived the 'American Dream". He worked hard, for years, seven days a week, to give his family what they needed and to get what he wanted out of life. Derek is survived by the love of his life, Anne. He always referred to Anne as his "my bride". Also survived by children, Raymond and Deborah. His grandchildren, Derek, Peter, Amanda, Diana; and great-grandchild, Riley. His family will always cherish the memories of the house in San Carlos, Mexico, days on the boat and fun on the beach with grandpa. Mango ice cream and grandpa's pancakes will never be forgotten. In retirement, Derek and Anne traveled in Europe, Asia and made frequent trips to Yorkshire to visit friends and family. In later years they took cruises to many fabulous destinations. To celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, they took the whole family on Alaskan cruise to mark the wonderful day they were married. Derek lived his life with honesty and integrity. He was a role model to his grandsons Derek and Peter. He showed Derek how to be a devoted and loving father to Riley. He modeled to Peter the value of service to country. Peter was commissioned as an officer in the US Army in August of 2017. He taught Amanda and Diana to be loving and generous to others thorough his works of charity and kindness. Derek lived a big life. He knew love and war, success and defeat. He took the best he could from his life, having known great pain and failures and made it a great and wonderful life. He once said about his experiences that "I wouldn't want to do it again but I wouldn't have missed it for the world." A Memorial service will be held Friday, March 2, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at BRING'S BROADWAY CHAPEL on Broadway. He will be interned at a later time.