Grayson County, TXGenWeb

Wilmer O. Kinsey
18 December 1941 - 30 August 2011

Geraldine Kinsey
21 January 1943 - 30 March 2022

Wilmer Kinsey, voice of Grayson Co. SkyWarn, remembered

GRAYSON COUNTY, TEXAS - A familiar voice in Texoma is now silent as Wilmer Kinsey, the voice of Grayson county SkyWarn, died Tuesday.
After over 30 years of service in HAM radio and emergency management, Wilmer Kinsey has died. His friends and colleagues reflected on their time with him as well as his legacy in the emergency management community.
"For years and years, Wilmer Kinsey was the voice on the radio that coordinated all those storm spotters out in Grayson county that kept everyone safe."
Grayson county emergency management director Sarah Somers said Wilmer Kinsey taught her everything she knew about emergency management. He was committed to his work, showing up rain or shine. Somers says he was a big part of the county's emergency management team, from the building of the E.O.C. back in 2009, being the voice of the Grayson County SkyWarn Weather Nets to instructing CERT volunteers. She said he will definitely be missed.
"Things will be different. We're better, we're stronger because Wilmer was with us, but we'll be different and he was good as gold," she said.
Another colleague and friend of Kinsey's, Moe Knight with the Grayson County Amateur Radio club said Kinsey taught him that there is more to being a HAM radio operator than meets the eye.
"I've been a HAM radio operator for 37 years and in those years, the nine working with Wilmer probably taught me more about giving to a community, than all the ones put together," he said.
Knight said those who will take Kinsey's place have big shoes to fill.
"I can only hope that the HAM radio operators in Grayson county can continue to serve the county as well as Wilmer led us over the years," he said.
Somers wants to express her appreciation to Kinsey and his family, who supported him in his days of service.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, to his wife Geri, she shared him with us and she accompanied him to the E.O.C. many many stormy nights. It's families like that that we have to build a backbone of safety on," she said.
Funeral services were on Saturday 10 a.m. He was then laid to rest at Akers Cemetery. - - - Waldo Funeral Home

Geraldine "Geri" Ev Kinsey, born January 21, 1943, daughter of Joe and Eva Farner, became a world traveler as a child of a Navy officer, and she chose to stay connected to the armed forces by becoming a civil service jet engine mechanic at Kelly Air Force Base. While her children were in school, Geri served as Special Education teacher's aide. After he own children left the nest, Geri returned to the work force at TI/Raytheon. Geri also served her community as a ham radio operator and storm spotter. Her passions were crafting and animal protection. She crocheted hundreds of hats for infants, bags for senior citizens, hats for local women's shelters and Child Protective Services, and too many other spectacular creations to count. Geri was an ardent supporter of the Denison Animal Welfare Group (DAWG) and many 4-legged beasties found a ready home and more treats than they could snarf in her care.
Geri's wit was rapier sharp, and those on the receiving end never forgot the experience. She could be incredibly generous and loving when the mood struck, and she left an indelible mark on everyone she met.
Geri was preceded in death by her husband, Wilmer Kinsey; parents; and grandparents, Freddie Ray & Mary Cecile Ziegler and Harmon & Nora Farner.
Ger i is survived by son, Wilmer Kinsey and wife, Kim; son, Donald Kinsey and wife, Sandra; daughter, Jeannie Dopson; son, Gerald Kinsey; son, Freddie Kinsey and wife, Connie; son, James Kinsey and wife Allison Little; brothers, Fred Farner and Dan Farner; sisters, Nora Reinders and husband, Will; and Lorie Simmons; 11 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; and a host of furry family members.
A gravside service was held at Akers Cemetery on Tuesday afternoon, April 5, 2022 . In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Denison Animal Welfare Group. - - - Waldo Funeral Home