Maj. (Ret.) David Wilkins Kinard, United States Marine Corps, passed peacefully May 18, 2024 at Lexington Medical Center, West Columbia, S. C. Maj. Kinard was born in Texarkana, Texas, September 10, 1931. He was the son of the late Frank Mickelberry Kinard and Ruth Wilkins Kinard Morris.

After graduating from high school in New Iberia, Louisiana, David enrolled in college and joined a Marine Corps Reserve unit. He was called to active duty during the Korean War. After being released from active duty, he reentered college and graduated with a degree in history from the University of Louisiana, Lafayette, in 1956. That fall he reported to Quantico, Va., to attend the Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a second lieutenant. He then attended the Basic Course at Quantico, qualifying as an infantry officer. That was followed by the Artillery Basic Orientation Course for qualification as an artillery officer.

In 1965 David was sent to Vietnam and served with the 3rd Marine Division. He was assigned as an S-2, intelligence officer, of the 12th Marine Regiment near Da Nang. He became commander of an artillery battery that was deployed to Phu Bai and then to Cobi-Than Tan, the northern most unit with an infantry battalion in Vietnam at the time. In 1966 he returned from 13 months in Vietnam and reported to Headquarters Marine Corps, Arlington, Va. In 1969 he was back in Vietnam, serving as a logistics officer in Marine Air Group 36. 1970 he returned to the United States. David retired from the Marine Corps in 1975.

His awards included the Navy Commendation Medal with device, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal with star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Viet Nam Service Medal with silver star, Viet Nam Gallantry Cross with frame and palm, Vietnam Campaign Medal with device; Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Civil Action Color First Class.

After retirement from the Marine Corps, David worked for the State of Georgia Public Service Commission, retiring in 1992. He is a life member of the National Rifle Association, the 3rd Marine Division Association and the Military Officers Association of America. He is a member of American Legion Post 182 and Trenholm Road United Methodist Church.

Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Glenna Bryant Kinard of Columbia, S. C., and two daughters, Pamela Kinard Yungk (Bob), Roswell, Ga., and Dana Kinard Warwick (Rich), Austin, Tx. Four grandchildren: Katherine Eleanor Warwick, Austin, Tx; Jennifer Helen Warwick Dougan (Ewan), Hutto, Tx.; April Marie Yungk Mount (Jason), Knoxville, Tenn., and Taylor Elizabeth Yungk Tarpley (Andrew), Philadelphia, Pa. Four great-grandchildren: Caroline Katherine Dougan and Colton James Dougan, Hutto, Tx., and Emily Harper Mount and Robert Wade Mount, Tenn. Also surviving are his beloved Dachshunds, Rudy, Barkley and Gunther.

Funeral services for Maj. Kinard will be at 2 p.m., Tuesday, May 21, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will follow in Elmwood Cemetery.

Honorary pallbearers are Robert Yungk, Richard Warwick, Andrew Tarpley, Larry W. ("Bj") Bjorklund, Jr., Harold Dunning and Rickey Purnell.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign or Trenholm Road United Methodist Church Foundation.

Maj. David Kinard has been reunited with his Band of Brothers.
Semper Fi.