Rickey D. "Skip" Kinsey's Obituary
On Tuesday, March 21, 1961, God blessed Mr. Emmitt, Sr., and Janie Mae Kinsey with a son whom they named Rickey Darrell Kinsey. Born in Muskegon, MI., he received his formal education through the Muskegon and Reeths Puffer School systems.
As a boy, he accepted Jesus Christ into his life and knew Him personally as his Lord and Savior. He grew up attending Christ Temple Apostolic Church under the late, great Bishop William Burrel. Later in life, he had various church affiliations and shared a special relationship with Pastor Christopher Westerbeek and the Richmond Reformed Church family. He made it his business to find himself a church to attend because he enjoyed it.
Rickey found enjoyment in a lot of things; he was a singer, musician, painter, auto detailer, and even tried to play a little basketball. He was a “jack of all trades.” He loved cars and could take any car and detail it to a spiffy shine. Rickey was a clean, charismatic, well-dressed, and talented man.
His most ardent love was that of music. Rickey was a great singer. He sang all genres of music and it was his love of music that allowed him to travel the world. Rickey performed in many area groups including Day Break, Dread Naught, Michigan Soul Searchers, and The Ultimate Taste Band. He would always bust out with a “shoop-doop” and some “Down Home Blues.” Singing his favorite song “Reasons” by EWF and tapping into falsetto notes would give you goosebumps. He admired the Dazz Band so much, he added “Skip” to his name, that’s where the Rick “Skip” Kinsey comes from. He also played drums and sang with various churches in the Muskegon area. Rickey shared his musical gifts and other talents as God blessed him until his health impeded his ability to do so.
On Friday, March 5, 2021, God in His infinite wisdom, called his son to rest from his earthly labor. His heroic battle with a lengthy illness had been won and he received his victory call.
Rickey was loved and well-liked by many and will certainly be missed. To cherish the legacy of his life, he leaves his 4 children, Ricky Brooks, Destiny (Preston) Owens, Ebony Wofford, and LaTonya (Melvyn Burch, Sr.) Beene; 10 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Carolyn Bates, and Patricia Musgrove; 2 brothers, Rodney (Gloria) Clark, and Emmitt Kinsey, Jr; sister-in-law, Daphynne Kinsey; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends including a special friend Robert Pace who was just like his brother.
His journey to the Father was preceded by his parents, Emmitt, Sr., and Janie Kinsey.; 2 sisters, Joyce Cherry and Marsha Sargent; 2 brothers, Earnest Lee Kinsey and Donnie “Fly” Lewis; paternal grandparents Louis (Littie Ann) Kinsey and maternal grandparents, Fannie (Henry) Thomas and Marshall Lewis.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, March 12, 2021 at the Angel Community Church, 446 Ada Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442 with Pastor Jeffrey Hough officiating. A limited visitation of 25 people at a time will be held from 5-8:00PM on Thursday, March 11, 2021 at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444. The family would like to share a special thanks to the great care Rickey received from the nurses and social workers at Medi Lodge nursing home, SKLD in Muskegon, and Mercy Health Partners. Share memories with the family at www.sytsemafh.com.
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