Gary Kinney

Gary Lynn Kinney, 61 of Philomath passed away on Thursday, July 26th at his home in Philomath after a 2 year battle with cancer. Gary was born in Eugene to Clarence Kinney and Dorletta Swindler. His first five years, he lived up Bunker Hill in Bellfountain. The family moved to Eugene in 1956 where he attended first through third grades at LaBleu, a one room country school and then Twin Oaks Elementary. The family lived with Ev and Helen Grife in their garage until a little house was built on the hill. Gary was the only boy with nine girls to terrorize in the close knit country neighborhood. In 1960 the family moved to Cottage Grove. Gary attended Harrison Elementary, Lincoln Junior High and Cottage Grove High School through his sophomore year. His father became a well-driller after the family moved to Cottage Grove. Gary started helping him at nine years old every night, filling the helper truck with water so his dad could leave early to a drill site. Little did he know that this would become his career for the next 40 plus years. He worked his way up from water boy, well driller, to President of Corvallis Drilling Company, all without a college degree—by hard work, long hours and doing something he loved. He enjoyed meeting new people and talking with them. In 1967 the family moved to Corvallis where he finished his high school years at Monroe Union High School, graduating in 1969. He played baseball and football. On January 16, 1971, he married Joan Crowson in Bellfountain Church and was shortly drafted into the U. S. Army. He spent 18 months in the service. A son, Christopher was born on December 10, 1971. In 1973, he moved back to Bunker Hill and worked for his dad at Corvallis Drilling Company. On August 29, 1974, he married Janice Van Buren in Bellfountain Church. Two sons were born, Clinton on April 3, 1976 and Craig on October 19, 1978. Gary moved back to Corvallis in 1980 to help run the business. On August 26, 1995 he married Norma Moore, the girl next door. Gary continued to run the business with the help of his brother, Scott and his son, Clinton until the last four months when a fall prevented him from physically being there. Three generations have kept Corvallis Drilling Company going. Gary enjoyed hunting, collecting arrowheads, his grandmother’s homemade dill pickles and biscuits, marshmallow milkshakes, his 1969 Camero and cleaning trails to picnic areas on the property. Gary and Norma went on a Panama Canal Cruise in 2005 and Gary loved everything about it. A few years ago they went on a Hawaiian Cruise. Gary loved holiday and weekends with his family and extended family. At the drop of a hat he would be talking with Rick and Justin about elk hunting trips. Gary loved to play jokes and tell tall stories. Gary was preceded in death by his father; his grandparents Lucy and Charley Kinney, Pete and Emma Peterson. Gary is survived by his wife and soul mate, Norma of Philomath; mother Dorletta O’Connor of Corvallis; children Christopher of Bend, Clinton (Stephanie) of Corvallis and Craig of Corvallis; step children Dawn (Richard) Chorlton of Lebanon, Rick Thurber of Shed and Angie (Justin) Moote of Halsey; sisters, Sheryll (Bob) Kinney Ballard, Brenda (Kenneth) Hull and Scott (Cheryl) Kinney all of Bellfountain; grandchildren Taurus, Morgon, Brittany, Brandon, Chetley, Austen, Kaylee-Ann, Kativa Maree, Nathan, Little Ricky, Kali, Kyndal and Nicole; and his faithful little dachshunds Sooner and Punkin. Aunts, uncles and many friends will also miss him. Memorial donations can be directed to Conquer Cancer Foundation in care of McHenry Funeral Home 206 NW 5th St., Corvallis, OR 97330. A potluck celebration of life will be held at 3 pm on Tuesday, August 7th at Bellfountain School.

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Gary Kinney

June 10, 1951 - July 26, 2012