Obituary of Kenneth Ellsworth Kincaid

Kenneth Ellsworth Kincaid, 88, of Ridgedale Rd., Morgantown, died on the 15th day of December, 2014 at Ruby Memorial Hospital of Morgantown, WV. He was born in Weston, WV on June 18, 1926, the son of the late Kenneth Ellsworth Kincaid Sr. and the late Leona (Dunham) Kincaid. Surviving him are his wife, Christine R. Kincaid; four children, Kenneth E. Kincaid, III, Constance Kincaid, Roy M. Kincaid and Stephen A. Kincaid; three grandchildren, Marc A. Kincaid, Sofia Annelise Kincaid and Sydney McLain Kincaid; and two great-grandchildren, Kennedy Nichole Kincaid and Abigail McLain Kincaid. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandson, Kenneth E. Kincaid, IV who died in Iraq while serving his country in the United States Army; and a half-sister, Emily C. Fulks, formerly of Charleston, WV. He attended the public school system in Lewis County, WV and graduated from Weston High School in 1944. He served in the United States Navy from November of 1944 until August of 1946, whereupon he enrolled in West Virginia University, receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1949 and his Bachelor of Law Degree in 1952. He practiced law in Morgantown from 1952 through 2003. Mr. Kincaid was elected to Morgantown City Council where he served from July of 1954 through June of 1956. He was then elected to a position on the County Court (later known as the County Commission) of Monongalia County, where he served from January 1, 1957 through 1960. From 1961 through 1968, he was the Prosecuting Attorney for Monongalia County. On January 1, 1969, he resumed private practice, specializing in commercial law, estate planning, probate and real estate. Soon thereafter, he became the attorney for the Morgantown Water Commission and the Morgantown Sanitary Board, both of which were merged into the Morgantown Utility Board in 1987, whereupon he continued to serve as Counsel for it until August 31, 1996. While attending West Virginia University, he became a member of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity and continued to be active as an alumnus of that organization most of his life. He was also a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, and served on its Administrative Board, Finance Committee, Staff/Parish Relations Committee and its Board of Trustees. He was also an attendee of the Bridgeport United Methodist Church He was past president of the Morgantown Kiwanis Club, the Monongalia County Bar Association, the Mountaineer Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America and the Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce. Kenny had also earned the prestigious Boy Scouts "Silver Beaver Award" at his BSA Council. He was active in all phases of the United Way in the 1950’s and 1960’s including being President of the United Fund and its General Campaign Chairman. He also served on the Foundation Board of Monongalia General Hospital from 1986 to 1994 and was Chairman of Special Equipment Campaign from Monongalia General Hospital from 1976-1977. On April 1, 1995, he joined the law firm of Spilman, Thomas & Battle and continued to practice law in their Morgantown office until December 31, 2003. Kenny’s love of life was truly never hidden. He loved music, dancing, arts and cooking in his gourmet kitchen. His family will miss his baritone voice extolling the beauty of snow, the fall leaf colors, or the aroma of his freshly baked dill bread or Chris’ cookies. Many won’t know that Kenny worked part time as a radio announcer and he was quietly proud to admit it. Lastly, his sons smile to recall he never took a state driving test because he returned from WWII with a US Navy driver’s license which WV honored. His buddy in the motor pool “issued” his US Navy License, but loaned him a Jeep instead of giving him a Navy driving exam. Mr. Kincaid’s wishes for cremation have been honored by his family. The community is invited to join with the family in celebrating Mr. Kincaid’s life on Friday, December 19th from 4-7 PM in Ruby Grand Ballroom of the WVU Erickson Alumni Center. A Memorial Service in Mr. Kincaid’s honor will be held at the Wesley United Methodist Church, 503 N. High St., Morgantown on Saturday, December 20th at 4 PM. with Rev. Dr. Ken A. Ramsey officiating. Inurnment will follow at a later date in St. Mary’s Peace Garden Mausoleum in Star City. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks that contributions in Mr. Kincaid’s memory please be directed to either the Mon County Habitat for Humanity, 251 Don Knotts Blvd., Morgantown, WV 26501; the Salvation Army, 1224 University Ave., Morgantown, WV 26505 or to the Mountaineer Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, 1831 Speedway Ave., Fairmont, WV 26554. Hastings Funeral Home of Morgantown in assisting the family with the arrangements. Send condolences online at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com