Phil Kinsey

Phil Kinsey, builder, golfer, car enthusiast, and lover of westerns, moved on to his final home on November 13th, 2022.

He loved a good joke and candy bars. He hated vegetables and Democrats. If you found yourself in his company, he was eager to share his newest joke or funny story. Rarely did you find yourself not smiling. He had a magnetic personality that was capable of making you feel like you had known him for a lifetime in only a matter of minutes. 

He loved his wife (Dorothy Nell Kinsey) of 58 years unconditionally before her passing in 2020. She may have been the only person he took instruction from since his childhood.

He was also a proud father of two sons (Randy and Keith) whom he worked with for decades building homes in and around Hall County at his company, Country Homes.

He had five grandchildren (Cody, Wil, Megan, Blake, and Rett) whom he enjoyed spoiling and sending back home to their parents in their younger years. As adults he enjoyed utilizing them as his personal errand runners around the house and office. Often calling asking for his deer feeders to be filled or leaves to be removed from the pool. Once he even had them install multiple Alexa devices at his home quoting, “He still enjoyed telling people what to do, and Alexa followed his instructions well.”

During his younger years, he was a talented athlete playing basketball and baseball. He even made the roster for the Braves Minor League team in the mid 50’s. However, he declined the opportunity and set out to join the United States Marine Corp and later the US Navy. During his time in the armed forces, he served as an aircraft mechanic and had many exciting adventures. A personal favorite story of his was how he once met Elvis while he was on leave in Memphis, TN. After a chance encounter at a diner, he was able to quickly befriend Elvis and spend an evening on a double date with the King of Rock & Roll. After returning to Gainesville, he worked odd jobs until starting Country Homes. His career as a builder lasted until his passing. He has built hundreds of homes in Hall County, and it brought him great joy to build a quality home for his friends, family, and the members of his community. He bragged that he built the “tightest houses around” stating that customers would often have to open a door just to light their fireplaces.

It is never easy when a man with a personality as vibrant as his passes. However, during this time of grieving our wish is that everyone can reflect on a moment that he made you laugh or feel loved. This is what brought him his greatest joy in life, and he would want that continued in his death.

“As a day well spent brings happy sleep, so life well used brings happy death.” -Leonardo da Vinci

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Friends of Hall County Fire Fund at the North Georgia Community Foundation. The Hall County Firefighters and EMT’s at Station 2 were frequent visitors of Phil. He never hesitated to call them, and they always served him well.

Checks can be made to the North Georgia Community Foundation with a memo line “Friends of Hall County Fire Fund” and mailed to:

340 Jesse Jewell Parkway SE, Suite 605

Gainesville, GA 30501

or online at www.ngcf.org/donate

Funeral services will be held Wednesday November 16, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Little & Davenport Funeral Home.  Pastor Jentezen Franklin will officiate.  Interment will follow in the Alta Vista Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday November 15 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. and again 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 is in charge of arrangements.