Donald Cary Kensinger

September 23, 1937 - March 16, 2020

Bluefield, WV- Donald Carey Kensinger, prominent musician and native of Bluefield, died Monday, March 16, 2020 in a local nursing home. Born September 23, 1937, he was the youngest son of James Allen and Faye Fannon Kensinger. A 1955 graduate of Beaver High School, he received his bachelor’s degree in music education from Concord College and a Master’s degree from Radford College. He also studied at Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Michigan State University, and Westminster Choir College. After beginning his teaching career as a traveling music teacher in Mercer County, he moved to Bluefield High School as Choral Music Director. In the tradition of his high school mentor Elizabeth Shelton, he boasted an enrollment of two hundred singers in his choir. Advancing for a short tenure at Concord College, he transferred to Bluefield State College as instructor of music education courses. Forever a community servant, he founded and directed the Flat Top National Bank Christmas choir. For ten years he served as musical director for Summit Players. When the current Fine Arts Center was threatened with demolition, he helped raise funds for its restoration and renovation. In more recent years, he played a major role in securing two concert grand pianos for the Bluefield Fine Arts stage. One of his proudest achievements was serving as choir director/organist at First Presbyterian Church for fifty-seven years. He was also an ordained deacon and elder at his church. In recent years, he assisted the local Jewish synagogue as accompanist for their special services. After his retirement from Bluefield State College, he organized and directed the BSC Community Chorus. The recipient of some well-deserved honors, he was elected Teacher of the Year at Bluefield State College. Upon his retirement from that institution in 2000, he was named Professor Emeritus. Proudly, he was elected to the Bluefield High School Hall of Fame in 2014. Survivors include his wife of thirty-eight years, Eleanor Douthat Kensinger; a sister, Janice Heath (Raeford) of Summerfield, North Carolina. He is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews, by his “angel” caregiver, Evelyn Davis, and by his felines that he loved dearly. A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held for Don on Sunday November 1, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. with Pastor Maggie Rust officiating. Attendance at this service will be restricted to family and members of the congregation. At a later date, a service to celebrate his life and music will be open to the public. Gifts in Don’s memory may be made to First Presbyterian Church, to the Bluefield High School Foundation, or to Second Chance for Cats. Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Donald Carey Kensinger.