Curtis Haven Kincaid

Our country has lost another of its Greatest Generation. Curtis Haven Kincaid, 97, of Victoria, a United States Army Combat Infantryman, and a Decorated Veteran of World War II, passed into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ while in hospice care January 29. He succumbed to a traumatic brain
injury suffered in an alleged fall at home January 16.

Taken by ambulance to DeTar Navarro, he was immediately transferred to Memorial Hermann Jones Pavillion Neurological ICU in Houston in gravely critical condition. After full evaluation of Dad's condition and the extent of his injuries, the attending surgeon, neurologist, radiologist, and Social Services staff met and concluded that Adult Protective Services should be notified. APS has since initiated an
investigation into how he could have been so critically injured. He never regained consciousness. An
autopsy was ordered by Justice of the Peace and performed.

This obituary was written by the eldest son from a lifetime of recollections with my father: Dad was born November 6, 1921, in Kincaid, WV to parents Emmett Haven and Dorothy Dooley Kincaid. Born into a family of dirt poor coal miners and subsistence farmers, they were so poor they referred to pinto beans as
strawberries. Looking back on his life, Dad often remarked he could not believe how poor they really
were.

Wanting a better life for himself, not wanting to work in the coal mines as his family had for generations, Dad enlisted in the US Army December, 1939. December 7, 1941, he was at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, on maneuvers with elements of the West Virginia National Guard. Within days of the attack at Pearl Harbor, having been ordered to gather weapons, ammo and what little equipment they had, his division was moved by truck and train to New Orleans. There they waited on the Army and Navy to come up with whatever ocean-going vessels they could find. Only after at sea were they told where they were going. The 38th DIV 150th INF, later nick-named the "Cyclone Division", was the first US Army combat forces
deployed overseas after December 7.

Transported to the Panama Canal Zone, where they set up defenses and fortifications on the west side of the canal in anticipation of an attack or invasion. From the time they left Camp Shelby they ate K-Rations for three months before their next hot meal. As an aside, many soldiers did not like food from the Army Mess. Not Dad, he loved it! It was better than he had growing up, and there was more of it! Dad loved S.O.S.

By late 1943, with Japan no longer considered a threat to the Canal, his division was returned stateside for Advanced Combat Training. Deployed to Europe June 1944, he fought in Combat Infantry through France, Belgium, and into Germany. Late August 1945 near Andernach, Germany, his company overran a German position. Those not killed dropped their weapons and surrendered. One of the surrendered changed his mind and went for a nearby weapon. Dad killed him with a burst from his B.A.R. at close range. Dad had killed others, but not up close. It was ugly! Within days of this action, while gearing up to move out, orders came down to hold their position. Germany had surrendered!

When asked how he and those around him felt knowing it was finally over, Dad said those who had not been there long (replacements) celebrated as if a football game had been won. Many were very stoic and quiet with their thoughts. A lot of them cried. All being so grateful to have survived the fear, cold, hunger, misery, death, and all the hell of the past 14 months. They were going to live! They were going home! Honorably discharge December, 1945, at rank of Sergeant, he had been in the Army a fourth of his life. Dad never forgot about the young man he killed within a day or two of the surrender. He had no choice but to do so, but it bothered him all his life that this young German should have lived.

In 1953 while working as a truck driver and mechanic, Dad saw an advertisement in a magazine about a franchise opportunity with a tool company somewhere in south Texas. Still wanting a better life for himself and his family, he packed us up and off to Texas we went. From 1954-1998 Dad was the Snap-On Tool Corporation's representative in Victoria and surrounding counties. He was very successful during his 44 years with Snap-On and was rewarded, recognized for setting national sales records per market size. He was 77 at retirement.

He is preceeded in death by parents and his beloved wife, Mary Louise Ingram Kincaid. Married December 4, 1946, they had 54 years together before Mother tragically drowned while wade fishing near P.O.C. in May, 2001. Also brothers: Bradley (KIA Korea, September 1950), Pete, Dixie, Virgil and John. Sisters:Betty, Doris, Donna and Beulah. Grandson: Tommy Shayne Kincaid.

He is survived by sons: James Haven (wife Linda Schwab), Thomas Reginald, and John Wesley Kincaid. Daughter: Barbara Jean Coffey. All of Victoria. Granddaughters: Kimberly Kincaid Downman of Austin, and Taya Kincaid of Hillsboro Beach, Florida.

Linda and I extend our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to the world-class doctors, RN's, LVN's, and social services staff at Memorial Hermann Jones Pavilion NICU for their heroic efforts over seven days to help Dad. Thank you Dr. Schmitt and Dr. Williams for your compassion and humanity when you
explained that, at 97 years, it would be cruel to proceed any further, recommending palliative and comfort care until his end.

My father hated funerals! Having had to kill, to see so much death, and be witness to so many horrific events, he never looked upon a deceased person after leaving Germany; and was mortified at the thought of being viewed after passing. We will not let him be viewed in death. Dad knew many who
would have been honored to serve as pallbearers; however, he truly
outlived all of his friends and family! Regretably, we had no one to call upon to carry him to his grave. As such, only graveside services will be held. May we please take liberty to name as honorary pallbearers all our veterans. All are welcome to join us Saturday, February 16 at 11:00am in Memorial Park
Cemetery. Dad will be laid to rest beside his beloved Mary, with full Military Honors conducted by Victoria Veterans Council, Post #4146. We are honored to have Pastor Larry Green officiate Dad's
services.

We extend to Hospice of South Texas Dornburg Center of Compassion our profound gratitude for their excellent care and empathy. Their outstanding medical staff and social workers were a godsend in our time of need. Sincere thanks to the ladies who crocheted the beautiful prayer shawl and the volunteers who presented the Veterans Certificate of Appreciation to us in Dad's behalf. If anyone is inclined to memorialize our father, please consider a contribution to this wonderful non-profit care center.

Arrangements handled by Rosewood Funeral Chapels.