Roll Call Tribute

Paul Kinnison, Jr. 

June 3, 1938 - February 11, 2026 

Paul Kinnison, Jr. passed from this earth on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, after a brief congestive heart failure hospitalization.

Paul Jr., the eldest of three children, was part of a military family moving often throughout his school days. Parents, Paul and Virginia Kinnison, embraced the Army lifestyle and kept the children in base activities where they learned to be outgoing and quick to make friends and where they also developed a lifetime love of travel. San Antonio was home for the traveling family with the Saunders grandparents providing refuge during Paul Sr.'s overseas tours. Paul Jr., also known as Kin by the family, was an active participant in boy scouts, had a newspaper route and enjoyed visits with family in Wimberley, Blanco and Fredericksburg. Paul Jr. attended Alamo Heights High School, as well as schools in Georgia, Virginia, Mississippi, and the Philippines, but graduated from high school in Southern Pines, North Carolina in 1956.

A natural college selection for Paul to pursue his interests in architecture and the military brought him to Texas A&M University. He set out from North Carolina, unaccompanied, on a train ride with one large bag and an eagerness to explore. He found a small campus with about 8,000 all male students where all were required to become members of the Corps of Cadets. They soon discovered that becoming accomplished at marching was an early requirement. His unit, B Battalion Field Artillery, took seriously the challenge, resulting in winning the coveted George Moore Trophy for 1956-57. Further Paul was judged by his peers exemplary in overall performance and was selected to be the unit's Guidon Bearer for 1957.

Completing the work for his 5-year architecture degree presented him with challenges but also many opportunities to gain lifelong friendships. Friendships among Aggies hold a deep bond gained from their military training, challenging curriculum, and shared hard work. Upon graduation in 1961 he was commissioned into the U.S. Army for a 2-year tour of duty in Germany. He was stationed in Gellenhausen near the East German border during the Cold War which was a tense time in the world. Paul declined the offer to become a career military officer and returned to Texas to begin a 50-year career in architecture, his chosen profession. During early years in various architecture firms including Logston & Voelter in Temple, Ayres & Ayres, Phelps & Simmons, Reginald Roberts, and O'Neil Ford, all in San Antonio; he gained experience and respect among his peers and mentors alike. It was also during this time that he established himself in the local AIA and TSA Chapters including leading the San Antonio Design Group and becoming a registered architect in 1967.

While working for O'Neil Ford in his small but growing King William office he was moved to Saratoga Springs to assume the project manager role for the Skidmore College project in upstate New York and Marymount College in New York City. It was during a trip back to San Antonio for a family event that he was introduced to Trudy Jo Chance who after a long-distance courtship would become his wife of 58 years. During their early years of marriage, Paul would establish his own firm, Kinnison & Associates, and continue to cultivate decades long professional relationships many of which resulted in design projects in San Antonio, South Texas, and at military installations all over the United States and overseas. His service to the community and profession was recognized in 1988 when he was nominated by Boone Powell, FAIA, and elected by a national jury to be advanced into the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows.

Managing his firm for over 35 years would be both a source of pride and struggle. Paul often lamented that what wasn't taught in architecture school was the business side of office and staff organization, managing cash flow and making payroll every month! He was a patient but firm boss always holding high expectations for his staff to double and triple check, produce their best work, and take the initiative to provide excellent service.

In 1973, Paul and Trudy moved their home and architectural office into the Monte Vista neighborhood. He quickly became a force for local neighborhood preservation and architectural excellence as the Monte Vista Historical Association became an organized community of neighbors. Over the next five decades Paul would dedicate many hours in service to Monte Vista on committees, as an early President, and as a long-time chair of the Architectural Review Committee. Also, in the 1970s they joined the congregation of Laurel Heights United Methodist Church, Paul became involved as a Trustee, committee member and often imparted his expertise when called upon.

In addition to involvement at the church, in the neighborhood, and managing a successful design firm, Paul coached his son Chance's soccer team for several years. He was an original DIYer with house and yard projects galore, maintained an impressive collection of "vintage" scrap wood and architectural elements, cheered for the Texas Aggies, Dallas Cowboys and San Antonio Spurs, and was a faithful follower of all the grandkids' activities, most recently Nicholas' little league teams and Miles' football and soccer teams. He enjoyed going out to eat at favorite local restaurants and sometimes trying new places if it wasn't too loud, AC wasn't too cold, chairs were comfortable, parking was smooth, and there wasn't too long of a wait. Portions and prices also needed to be just right!

Paul lived a full and happy life, filled with long days in his office and many travel events, business and pleasure. Paul held many beliefs based on diverse lived experiences and his interest in history and politics. He was respected for his unwavering integrity, stewardship and service to the community.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Col. Paul and Virigina Kinnison, and his sister, Karen Virginia Kinnison. Paul is survived by his wife of 58 years, Trudy, his daughter, Abigail Ruth Kinnison and son, Paul Chance Kinnison and his wife Kate, grandchildren: Nicholas Samuel Rodriguez, Paul Miles Kinnison, Stevie Jo Kinnison, and Winnie George Kinnison, all of San Antonio; brother, William Edgar Kinnison and wife Karen Sue of Salado, Texas, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Friday, March 6, 2026, at 1:30 pm at Laurel Heights United Methodist Church.