Homer Ray Kinley

Greensboro – Homer Ray Kinley, 89, entered his heavenly home on Friday, November 14, 2025, from Hospice Home at High Point.

Ray was born on September 24, 1936, at home to the late Homer Cicero Kinley and Minnie Lou Willard Kinley. In addition to his parents a sister, Louise Seagraves and a brother, Johnny Kinley preceded him in death.

Ray attended Sumner School and has remained good friends with his graduating class through the years. He joined the U.S. Army in 1955 and became an Airborne Paratrooper assigned to the 11th Airborne and ended up serving in Germany in 1956. He really enjoyed the adventure of military life and had planned to make a career of it. However, on August 16th, 1957, while involved in a standard "Field Problem" exercise, he was unfortunately caught up in a military accident on the Autobahn involving several troop transport trucks. His right leg was severely injured and required amputation. Ray was fortunate to be alive and overcame gas gangrene in the leg which required several additional operations. He spent over a year in Walter Reed hospital recovering from his injuries and afterwards had to learn how to walk with a prosthetic leg and crutches. Ray was never one to give up, even though the challenges of being a healthy and active soldier one moment and then having to transition to an amputee were always there throughout his life. He remained an active person who climbed ladders, roofed houses, built structures and even learned to water-ski during his life. He was admired by friends and family for his perseverance and his never give up attitude. Rather than accepting that he could not do something, he figured out a way around it and how to do it, regardless of the challenges. Ray also encouraged the same sense of adventure in his children by encouraging them to participate in activities like sports, water-skiing, owning and riding horses, deep sea fishing, riding motorcycles and even jumping out of airplanes.

He had met his future sweetheart Brenda while they were barely teenagers in 1953. There was an immediate attraction between them. He admired her Tom-boy skills, smile and sense of humor while she admired his quick wit, laughter and generous spirit. They went separate ways after high school but when he returned stateside to Washington DC to recover from his accident, they found themselves drawn back together. They were married on July 31, 1958, and have remained together since.

Ray worked a wide variety of jobs through the years. Everything from furnace installation to running a sandwich shop, to farming, to becoming a mechanical draftsman, owning a gas station, to selling insurance and many others. In 1968, he was recognized by the city of Greensboro, winning the Handicapped Man of the Year award. He then sold new cars for Crescent Ford in High Point but realized that the real money was in used cars. This line of work was perfect for his outgoing personality, natural salesman skills and his disability. He then went into business for himself with a partner selling used cars.

Ray also volunteered for many causes in his life, The Red Cross, Disabled American Veterans and helping out relatives and friends that were in need.

Ray loved a good vacation and traveled with his wife Brenda and sons almost every year somewhere in the U.S. We went to many of the beaches of NC, Summers on High Rock Lake, Disney World, Miami, Texas to Missouri, Outer Banks to the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic Ocean.

Navigating through the world as a disabled man with one leg was never easy for him but helping and inspiring others in his life was a piece of cake.

Those who will cherish Ray's memory are his wife of 67 years, Brenda Campbell Kinley; sons, Kyle Kinley of Greensboro, Kevin Kinley (Paula) of Greensboro, Kirk Kinley (Vilma) of Denton; brother, Benny Kinley; grandchildren, Matthew Kinley (Heather), Campbell Kinley (fiancé Lucas Hicks) Marcus Kinley; great-grandchildren, Jett and Austin Kinley. There are also many cousins, nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 18th, at Fairfield Community Church Cemetery at 1505 NC-62 in High Point. Pastor Rich Tuttle will officiate the service. The family will greet friends following the service.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff of Hospice for their excellent care of Ray during his illness.

Memorial donations may be directed to American Cancer Society at http://www.donate.cancer.org or to Hospice Home at High Point, 1803 Westchester Drive, High Point, North Carolina 27262.

Condolences may be shared on Ray's tribute page at www.cumbyfuneral.com. Cumby Family Funeral Service in Archdale is serving the family.