Gary Wayne Kinsel's Obituary
Donna- Gary Wayne Kinsel, 73, passed away peacefully on June 5, 2026, at Aurora House in Weslaco, Texas.
Gary was born on December 7, 1952, in Canton, Illinois, in Fulton County.
At the age of eighteen, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he proudly served his country and earned numerous awards, including Defense Medals and a sharpshooter badge, in recognition of his dedication, outstanding service, and strong work ethic.
Following his honorable discharge, Gary worked on a dairy farm and later served his community as an EMT. He was also a proud member of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union. Eventually, Gary fulfilled his entrepreneurial spirit by founding and managing Kinsel Excavating Company for 15 years.
Introduced to the warm climate of the Rio Grande Valley by his father, Gary made South Texas his home and retired there in 2012. He settled in Donna, where he met the love of his life, Dee.
Gary and Dee shared a love of travel and enjoyed exploring the country together. Gary was passionate about riding his motorcycle and found great joy in simple pleasures. He raised chickens and loved driving around the neighborhood in his golf cart, with some chickens in tow, delivering fresh eggs to friends and neighbors. He was also known for his home-canned goods and took pride in preserving fresh foods to share with those he loved.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Sherman Kinsel and Sylvia Jane Cozart.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Maria Dee Kinsel; his children, Brian Kinsel (Jessica M.), Eric Kinsel (Jessica L.), Elizabeth Jane Buczko (Matt), and Aaron M. Kinsel; his stepdaughters, Jessica R. Hilton (Danny), Adrianna D. Cedillo, and Christina A. Royer (Casey); his sisters, Connie K. Miller, Cathy Butcher, Sandy Kilbride, and Deena Nissen; his brother, Sherman Kinsel; as well as numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends who will cherish his memory.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Aurora House of Weslaco in honor of Gary's life and legacy.
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