Name: Celebration of Life for Charles Grayson Kinnison
Start: 2017-07-22T15:00:00.000Z
Location: Hellenic Center of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral

Charles Grayson Kinnison

Suffolk - Charles Grayson Kinnison, born in Portsmouth, VA in 1955, passed away in his home surrounded by his wife and children on July 13 after a fight with pancreatic cancer.

Charlie graduated from Cradock High School in 1973, attended Tidewater Community College, and Old Dominion University in Career and Technical Education. Charlie was a 38-year veteran tech-ed teacher, printer, and yearbook advisor for Newport News Public Schools at Ferguson HS and Warwick HS before moving to Salem HS in VA Beach. "Moose," as he was known in the scouting community was an Eagle Scout, Wood Badge recipient, former scoutmaster of troop 251 in Portsmouth VA, and Vigil Honor Arrowman of the Order of the Arrow, Blue Heron Lodge, #349. He met his wife, Dianne Hill Kinnison, at TCC in 1973. They married in 1980, and have two children, Nathaniel & Jackie. Charles was a proud "Moose" of seven grandchildren: Gabriel, Helen, Jack, Louis, Anthony, Charlie, and Liliana.

Please join us in celebration of his life on Saturday, July 22 at the Hellenic Center of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Granby Street in Norfolk at 11:00am.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Virginian-Pilot on Jul. 16, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Charles Kinnison

Sponsored by the family.

25 Entries

Karen and Dennis O'Meara

July 10, 2021

We are continuing to keep your family in our prayers. I remember visiting your home at Christmas to see all of the lovely, decorated trees, especially the tree full of moose in honor of Charlie, your honorary "Moose." I hope your many fond memories provide comfort to your aching hearts. God bless you!

Paul and Shelia Lambine

July 17, 2018

We think of Charles often. He had so much energy and a giving nature.

Rachel

August 31, 2017

Mr. Kinnison was my teacher last year at Salem- I was a freshman student and he was one of my favorite teachers because he was always so upbeat and funny. Despite only knowing him a short while, I won't forget him. I will keep his family in my thoughts and prayers.

Karen O'Meara

July 26, 2017

Dianne, Dennis and I send you and your family our sincerest sympathy for your loss. Charlie had a way of making people laugh and feel welcome in your home. No doubt, the Salem HS community is suffering a huge loss as well. I am so sorry we were not here for you as we were out of town the last two weeks. We will keep you and your children/grand children in our thoughts and prayers. I hope your loving memories of all your wonderful years together will provide comfort in your time of sorrow. Please let me know if there is anything we can do to help you. With love and sympathy, Karen and Dennis O'Meara

Karen O'Meara

July 26, 2017

Louis Gabriel

July 22, 2017

Charles was a son, husband, father,Grandfather, and a Teacher. He wore many hats through out his life and gave each one 100%. Most days he wore more than one hat because he was always teaching somebody something. He was very dedicated to his Family and Teaching Profession. Charlie Stayed positive and always saw the glass half full , never half empty. He had a curious mind and loved working with and Teaching Wood shop,Photography,Printing,Metal shop, Drafting,and many more. Charlie was always working on a project, many times not for himself but giving a helping hand to a friend or family.To Dianne, i am sorry your lost your Best Friend, you guys had a beautiful marriage. To Nathaniel, and Jackie, i know how much you will miss your DAD. To the Kinnison family, it was a joy to have had Charlie become part of my family.I know the Gabriel family will miss him Dearly. May his memory be eternal.
God Bless All Of You.
Louis Gabriel

Janet Kessler

July 20, 2017

Charles was just the best! He lit up any room he entered. We worked together at Ferguson and Warwick. He was a wonderful teacher and made the difference for some who were not interested in school but loved his class. He liked to tease but was focused and had high standards for any task he undertook. He will be greatly missed.

Kenyatta (Phelps) Mumphery

July 20, 2017

To the family, I am sorry for your loss. Mr. K was a great teacher. I was in his Mechanical and Architectural Drawing classes at Ferguson High School. He also was my AIASA advisor and encouraged me to run for State Secretary. He will be missed. (Class of 83)

July 19, 2017

I will all ways remember the last I saw Moose. It was at the Sams Club on Tidewater Dr. he was buying a special cracker he said he couldn't find else where. He told me then he had a medical problem. I never had any idea that would be the last time I would see him. What a great person who did so much for troop 180 including giving us one cute blond Eagle Scout who my wife really loved. Moose RIP you and your family will always be in my thoughts and prayers.

Rudy Stuteville
Troop 180

Mary Ann Williams

July 19, 2017

Dianne, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and the family.

Scott Press

July 18, 2017

My condolences to the Kinnison Family. I had Coach K for one class at Ferguson High. And he was instantly one of my favorites. Informative, honest, and genuine. Thank You Kinnison Family for sharing him with us. I know he'll be missed by many.
FHS C/O '96

Terry van Oekel

July 18, 2017

Mr. Kinnison was one of a kind. No one could ever replace him. He was such a caring, dedicated person to his family, job and students. I will really miss him coming by my office having our great conversations. I feel so lucky to have worked with such a wonderful person for the last 15 years. My prayers are with his family.

Jennifer Thomas

July 18, 2017

I will always remember Charlie for his delightful sense of humor. He had a wonderful perspective on things and a truly generous heart. Deepest condolences to his family.

Diana Good

July 17, 2017

So very sorry for your loss! Charles was truly a special person and teacher

Carol Macdonald

July 17, 2017

I am so sorry.... my prayers are with your family. I had the honor of working with him at Salem HS. We even shared a Computer Lab duty. I would come and relieve him but he would stay (during my time) and we would end up talking about computers and photography. I ended up learning quite a bit! What a wonderful human being. I am grateful to have known him.

Brian Hollifield

July 17, 2017

Sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Kinnison, he was a fair and honest man and I will never forget the first words out of his mouth in his Drafting class at FHS, " This is a rule, I am the Ruler ". Mr. Kinnison was a kind, caring compassionate man that always had time for his students. I remember him fondly and appreciate the impact that he made in my life, he truly shaped the lives of many young men and women and touched each and everyone of them in a special way.

July 17, 2017

My favorite teacher..I learned so much and was also held under discipline. I so very much wish I could be there for the service. My love to all family and friends.

Ronald Barnard

July 17, 2017

Rest In Peace ..... I always enjoyed your class.. You taught me so much in the art of snapping the perfect picture..... You will be missed FHS Class of 1988.....

Kathryn Gentry

July 17, 2017

My sincere Condolences. Mr Kinnison was one of a kind and a great addition to my high school experience!!!! We loved him!!! Sorry for your loss ! Sad news to hear indeed -

Jennifer Hughes

July 17, 2017

My deepest condolences to the family at this time. Words can not express the loss you have experienced.
"K" was a teacher of mine for 2 years (Ferguson '96 & Warwick '97) and he was the best teacher, friend, and person that I could have ever asked. I still quote his little sayings he use to tell me and I still talk about him to this day. He will truly be missed and loved. My thoughts are with you at this time.

Bonnie Pancoast

July 16, 2017

I never had Mr. K. as a teacher at Ferguson, but I always appreciated everything he did for the school and his students, and I admired his skills. I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing him with the Ferguson Family for so long. He certainly left his mark!

Katelyn Cayetano

July 16, 2017

From a son,a husband,a father,a teacher, a mentor, and a inspiration. Charles Kinnision was and still is the reason why I would want to learn more and help people. As one of his old former students, knowing him for two years during my high school career he was one of the most hard working staff that I have ever seen. He trained me to help the school as well from just taking pictures to making 300 notebooks for the NJROTC at Salem High School. He will forever be remembered. My condolences to the family. He inspired to many people. Charles Kinnision will forever be in our legacy at Salem High School

Barbara Conner Ward

July 16, 2017

Although classmates lose touch with each other, they are remembered at different times of our lives. I am saddened to hear Charles has past over. I knew Charles though our class. he was a great guy. I also had the privilege of knowing his mother when I was working at the Cradock Community Center. Charles took after his mom in so many ways. Kind, sweet and generous to a fault. May God hold his family in the palm of His hand and comfort them.

Bernie Kirsch

July 16, 2017

My deepest condolence to Charles' family and many friends.

May be remembered for his many acts of kindness and may he rest in peace.

July 16, 2017

I am so sorry for your great loss. I have so many fond memories of our times at Ferguson and Warwick. Charles and I were in the same Vocational Education department. I loved hearing his comments at our meetings. He could always make me laugh.

He was a very dedicated instructor and I loved observing the rapport he had with his students. Outstanding school yearbooks were produced under his strong leadership and guidance. When he was awarded the honor of"Teacher of the Year" at Warwick High School, he of course was very humble.

He was a very talented individual and would share his skills and knowledge with anyone. He helped me print via the school print shop many items needed for my clubs' projects that I sponsored over the years we taught together. He also volunteered to be the photographer at my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary event. He also coordinated our school busses' arrivals and dismissals. If anyone knows, this task requires the patience of a saint and the skills of a master planner. He made the job look so easy.

I missed "Mr. K" when he transferred to the Virginia Beach School System and I am now sorry for the world's loss of a fine person. Charles will certainly be missed.

Cynthia P. Earl
Retired Newport News Public School Teacher

Showing 1 - 25 of 25 results