Terry Lee Kinnear

Terry Lee Kinnear, 77, of Cullowhee, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, August 10, 2024. The eldest of three brothers, Terry was born on February 17, 1947, to the late Doris May Cornell and Robert Edward Kinnear of Cleveland, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his middle brother, Robert Alan Kinnear. Terry is survived by his wife, Linda of 54 years; their son, Tyler (Jiayin); and brother, Dale (Alison). 

Terry attended John Marshall High School in Cleveland, OH. Upon graduation, he served in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Yancey, based out of Norfolk, Virginia. While docked in Newport, Rhode Island, he met his wife, Linda. After his military service, they married in 1969 and moved to Cleveland, where he enrolled in Cleveland State University and completed both his undergraduate and master’s degrees in business administration. He went on to earn a Ph.D. in business administration from Kent State University in 1981.

 In 1980, they moved to Cullowhee, NC, where Terry taught at Western Carolina University in the School of Business until his retirement in 2011, teaching classes mostly in organizational behavior. He served as Chair of the Faculty from 1996 to 2000 and was awarded several teaching awards throughout his tenure. Upon retiring, he was granted emeritus status. 

Terry was a member of St. David’s Episcopal Church and belonged to several groups, including a Men’s Group that met weekly for over 35 years. They discussed books and articles dealing with the big questions of life, both spiritual and philosophical. 

Terry loved the outdoors, international cuisine, and music. Growing up, his family regularly visited the lakes of Ontario, Canada. In 1999, Terry traveled the Rideau Canal, a 126-mile canal from Kingston to Ottawa, Ontario, by boat with Tyler, and his brother, Dale. In 2005, he hiked the Rideau Trail, and in 2006, he biked it. In 2007, to mark his 60th birthday, his son’s college graduation, and the 175th anniversary of the completion of the Canal, he built a wherry and rowed the Canal with his son. 

The Camino de Santiago (in Spain) also played an important role in his active life. Between 2013 and 2018, he walked the Camino a total of four times, each route covering new terrain. On one trip, he continued past Santiago de Compostela to Lisbon, Portugal. He made meaningful memories and several new friendships along the way. 

Terry also enjoyed working with his hands. He helped design and build the family home, assembled a greenhouse and several stained-glass pieces, built a sauna, did rockwork, and more. A memorial gathering will be held sometime in October.

 In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements are in the care of Appalachian Funeral Services.