Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Dan Kinnison (right) and his wife Shirley (left)
Dan Kinnison has been a long time resident of Kimball. He has seen it grow and evolve over the years and has made it his home.
Recently Kinnison was asked to participate in the Honor Flight, a trip to D.C. to honor pilots from World War II. Kinnison went and got to see Washington D.C. more in depth than he had ever seen it. He, along with several others, were put up in a hotel in Baltimore. It was a way to appreciate those who had served.
Kinnison shared that, while he had wanted to become a pilot in the Army Air Corps at the time of World War II, his training stopped and he was put in the reserves. Later, he was discharged by an act of Congress.
"I got my pilot's license later and used it for my business. I would fly mostly for business a few times for fun but mostly business," Kinnison said.
He started his business in Kimball, Prestige Manufacturing. He sold and worked on farm equipment. His engineering skills have gained recognition a few times in books about engineers all over the world.
More locally, however, Kinnison has served on several city boards. He was President of the Rotary for a time, worked with the boy scouts, as well as held a chair on city council.
"Of all the things I have done, in regards to serving on boards, city council was my favorite. It's where I really felt like I was making a difference," Kinnison said.
Eventually, Kinnison decided to sell his business. So when he was 75 years old he put his business up for sale.
"I sold it to Pinkerton. He came in one day asking to see the business, said he wouldn't buy it but wanted to have a look. So I showed him around. After the tour, he asked what price I was asking, saw the bargain I was offering and said he'd take it. He's probably the best person I could have sold it to," Kinnison said.
Kinnison still has an office and a garage down town, as well as a wood shop. In his garage, he houses an old flat bed truck from the 1950s and some old farm equipment. He also made his son a roll top desk.Woodwork is something Kinnison enjoys. He expressed his fondness for building things and creating. He even makes wooden bowls as one of his hobbies.
"Sometimes I do projects for people, sometimes I charge a little something and sometimes I don't. I just enjoy making the bowls so I do it when I have some time," Kinnison said.
Kinnison has two children, a son and a daughter. His son is currently living in Turkey and his daughter, Patty Shaw, is hard at work raising money to help families who have had a loved one diagnosed with cancer. After her own son passed from cancer she began to raise money in order to help families manage transportation costs.
"She always mentioned how much she spent driving Andy to all his doctor's appointments. So the money raised helps families with those costs," Kinnison said.
Kinnison's wife, Shirley, enjoys designing the landscaping around their home. She has a garden for food around the back of their home as well as a garden filled with flowers and decorations.
"She's behind all of this [the garden], I help where I can. She tells me what to do and I do it," Kinnison said.
Even at the age of 90 Kinnison still drives, cares for his lawn, works with wood, and assists with town events when he can. He used his flatbed truck to take out the little hut that was selling fireworks. With all he has accomplished with his life, he has a sort of pride in Kimball.
"Kimball has so much potential. We sit on these crossroads that make us a prime spot for people to want to come in and do things. We can't be afraid of that we have to want to see our town grow. I know I want to," Kinnison said.
Kinnison is just one of the examples of the wonderful and unique people that Kimball is home to. Several people live here that possess talent and the drive to accomplish things. When those people get together they can get great things done, much like Kinnison was able to have a successful business for so many years, a business that still thrives due to him being able to find the right person to take over.
"You know I've served on about every board there is to serve on and I loved it, being a part of the community has always been something I like to do," Kinnison said.