Earl Christian Kinzie

Dr. Earl Christian Kinzie was born to W.A. (Willie) and Christena Bond Kinzie at Lone Star, Douglas County, Kansas on May 31, 1907. He died on January 20, 2005, in Ennis, TX. In 1928 he graduated from McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas. Instead of accepting an offer to play professional basketball for the Firestone Rubber Company, he became a high school basketball coach. Later he decided to pursue a career in medicine and graduated from the Kansas City College of Osteopathy and Surgery. In 1941 he moved his family from Ness City, Kansas, to Lindale, Texas, where he practiced Family Medicine for 49 years. During this time he delivered more than 2000 babies, including his namesake, Heisman Trophy winner and NFL MVP Earl Christian Campbell and world renowned economist, Dr. Ray Perryman. He treated his patients without regard to money or color and was friend and confidant to many in the Lindale area. He will always be remembered for his tireless commitment to his family, his patients, and to his community. He was a member and senior trustee of the Lindale First Baptist Church, a charter member and song director of the Lindale Rotary Club, and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He served 12 years as a member of the Lindale I.S.D. Board of Education and was a member of the Lindale City Parks Board. He was a charter Director of the Lindale State Bank and long-time director of the First National Bank of Winnsboro, Texas. Dr. Kinzie served on the Foundation Board of Tyler Junior College. He was a member of the Texas Association of Osteopathic Medicine, AMA, Texas Academy of Family Practice and the American Academy of Family Practice. In 1989 he was awarded the Founder's Medal by the University of North Texas Health Science Center of Fort Worth. He received an honorary degree, Alumnus by Choice, from Baylor University in 1999. He was inducted into the Athletes Hall of Fame at McPherson College in 2000. Two wives preceded him in death, Margaret Kinzie and Mavern Devine Kinzie who with Dr. Kinzie willed their home to the City of Lindale. He is survived by three children and their spouses, June and Bill Gibson, Dr. Bill and Mary Ann Kinzie, and Ellen and Dr. Len Hughes; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Visitation : Caudle-Rutledge Funeral Home in Lindale, Saturday, January 23, 6:00-8:00 PM. Funeral services: First Baptist Church Lindale on Sunday, January 23, 3:00 PM. Pall bearers: Whan Shores, David Miller, Joe Don Terry, Dan Moore, George Sharp and Jerry Lockhart. Honorary Pall Bearers: Gordon Wilkinson, Gov. Bill Daniel, Tom Kiker, Carroll Anderson, Earl Christian Campbell, Michael Earl McClenny, Rev. James Earl Price and Dr. Wendell Hand. Memorials may be made to the Lindale Library P.O. Box 1570 Lindale, TX 75771 or the IOOF/Rebekah Residence or Nursing Home, 2302 S. Oak Grove, Ennis, TX 75119.

Earl Christian Kinzie

May 31, 2007 - January 20, 2005