James Donald Kinzel, ‘Jim’, went home to be with his Lord on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. Jim was born in Charleston, West Virginia, January 20, 1930, to Gustave and Florence Voiers Kinzel.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and wife Wanda Bennett Kinzel. Jim is survived by his children Kimberly Dunfee, of Florence, Kentucky, Rebecca Hughes, of Milton, WV, Scott (Marsha) Kinzel, of Milton, and Christopher (Robin)Kinzel, of Jackson, OH. He is survived by 12 grandchildren Kyle (Tessa) Dunfee, Drew (Stacey) Dunfee, Jenna (Jacob) Dunfee, Jared (Whitney) Hughes, Lauren (Branden) Kinder, Cole (Mandy) Hughes, Drake (Nicole) Kinzel, Kelsey (Cody) Kinzel. Taylar (Nick) Nixon, Turner (Parker) McClure, Kade Kinzel, Kallan Kinzel, as well as 17 great-grandchildren, Emma Winkler, Ella Winkler, Olive Dunfee, Matthew Dunfee, Lincoln Dunfee, Amari Colis, Ariella Colis, Abby Kinder, Becca Kinder, Ashlyn Hughes, Zander Hughes, Everleigh Hughes, Keegan Kinzel, Lakey Kinzel, Bryden Nixon, Brynn Nixon, and Tate McClure.

Jim graduated from Huntington East High School and Marshall University.

He was an Air Force veteran of the Korean War. A member of the 817th Troop Carrier Squadron (Bluetail Flies) stationed in Ashiya, Japan, Jim was a flight engineer on C119 transport aircraft. He worked 25+ years and retired from INCO (now Special Metals) in the inspection department, where he was known to create cartoons for many memorable events. An acrylic artist, he also created many paintings that hang in homes today. Jim told bedtime stories to his children while they were growing up about a little quail bird, that he later illustrated and wrote a book, Sleepy the Quail. He liked to write down memories of special times he enjoyed, and had one such memory published in Goldenseal, called Edge Cover.

Jim took up golf after he retired, along with clay pigeon shooting. He even built his own clubs. His life long hobbies, however, were hunting and fishing. He thoroughly enjoyed traveling for these everywhere, including Alaska, Wisconsin, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Fort Meyers, Florida, Cape Cod, New Hampshire, Currituck Sound, NC, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Baja, California, various locations in Canada, and duck hunting in Japan during his time in the military. His travels yielded treasured memories of time with family and friends, along with delicious fish frys, stuffed pheasant and quail, deer steaks, stews and summer sausage. He baked homemade sourdough bread too and liked to try new recipes.

Jim’s family was the joy of his life. He looked forward to family holiday gatherings, family reunions, picnics, birthdays, and school activities of his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He blessed us at each event and never tired of telling us how blessed he was to have his family. He will be missed by each one, but he has left us with hearts full of love and memories, tears, and comfort that we will all be together again soon.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 18, 2026 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Beard Mortuary. A Funeral Service will be on Monday, January 19, 2026 at 11:00 am at Beard Mortuary, with Pastor Martin Voiers, II officiating. Interment with Military Honors will follow the service, in Ridgelawn Memorial Park. Please leave an online condolence for Jim’s family on his guestbook.