D.C. ‘Chester’ Kincheloe

Judge D.C. ‘Chester’ Kincheloe, 90, died April 9, 2012, due to complications from dementia. He was born in Oatmeal on July 26, 1921, to Orin Ray and Nettie Smith Kincheloe.

When he was 12, he and his younger sister, Rae Nell, lost their mother due to appendicitis, and the two became very close, remaining so throughout their lives. When his father was remarried to Mamie Cromeans Warden, he gained three younger stepbrothers, Clement, Clarence and Doug, and then half-brother Andy Ray Kincheloe.

After graduating from high school in Oatmeal, he proudly served in World War II in the Army Air Corp as a control-tower operator for the Flying Tigers and was stationed in various locations overseas during his tour of duty.

After the war, his sister introduced him to the love of his life, Winnie Spillers, at a drugstore in Burnet. They were married May 18, 1951, and settled in Burnet. Seven years later, he and his wife adopted their only son, Dennis Lane Kincheloe.

For most of his life, he worked and was highly involved in the Burnet community. He was a member of the Burnet Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club.

From the early 1960s to the early 1970s, he owned and operated the Burnet Bulletin Newspaper. He sold the newspaper and opened Triple K Printing. He then was elected justice of the peace for Precinct 2 and served dually in that position as a municipal judge for the City of Burnet.

As a lifelong Democrat and party member, he was elected Burnet County judge, serving two terms. All during this 30-year span of time, he drove a school bus, enjoying his time behind the wheel shuttling children and band students to and from their schools, homes and events all across Central Texas.

As a retired magistrate, he continued to serve the community by marrying couples upon request and serving on the Burnet Historical Society and Mount Zion Cemetery Association.

He was a social hound and loved to have a good time by sharing a delicious meal and stories of life and traveling. He also was a football fan, including of the Burnet Bulldogs, the Texas Longhorns and the Dallas Cowboys — in that order. He was cherished and adored by all who knew him. Who could forget the “man in the jumpsuit!”

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Winnie; son Dennis and wife Kim; grandchildren Kyra, Danton and Zane; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation is 6-8 p.m. April 11 at Edgars Funeral Home, 109 N. Main in Burnet, (512) 756-4444.

A service is 2 p.m. April 12 at the funeral home with his nephew, Pastor Mark Newton, officiating. Internment will follow at Post Mountain City Cemetery in Burnet.

Condolences may be made at www.edgarfh.com.