Frank "Porky" Kinser, a longtime and devoted supporter of UTC Athletics passed away on Friday.  A former member of the University of Tennessee Board of Governors, Kinser was best know by Mocs fans as the driving force and namesake of the Porky's Open Golf Tournament, the largest annual fundraiser for UTC Athletics. 
 
For over 20 years Kinser hosted the annual Porky's Open, raising over $1 million for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Athletics Scholarship Fund.  Frank also served on the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees from 1996-2002.
 
"Frank Kinser was a Moc through and through," stated UTC Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Mark Wharton.  "He was a tremendous supporter of our University, a great friend to Athletics and very helpful to me personally in my tenure as Athletic Director.
"Our thoughts and prayers got out to his wife, Becky, and the entire Kinser family."
 
Mr. Kinser was president and owner of East Brainerd Lumber and Supply Co., Inc., a three generational business until his retirement in 2012. His involvement with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and the University of Tennessee system went well beyond athletics.  He was a past member of the University of Tennessee Development Council and served as Chairman of the Chancellor's Roundtable.
 
"We lost a great friend and supporter of our program in Frank Kinser," stated UTC head football coach Rusty Wright.  "He did a lot for me and had an impact on a lot of people in our football program over the years. He will be missed."
 
Mr. Kinser was very active in the University of Tennessee Alumni affairs. He was a past President of the University of Tennessee Hamilton County Alumni Association and a member of the University of Tennessee Board of Governors.  He served on the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Alumni Council, Athletic Advisory Board and as Chairman of the football ticket drive.
 
He also served as chairman of the SIM Center Enterprises Board, a technology-oriented company associated with commercialization of technology to benefit UTC Engineering and was a member of the University of Tennessee Research Foundation Board.
 
Mr. Kinser was a past member of the Stadium Board which is the entity responsible for building Finley Stadium.  He served as Chairman for the construction committee for Finley Stadium and later served two terms as President and Chairman of the Stadium Board.  He received the Gordon Davenport Award in 2005 from the UTC Athletic Department.
 
He is survived by his wife, Alice Rebecca Weaver Kinser; daughter, Julia Lynn Kinser and son, Frank J. (Jay) Kinser, Jr. and wife Deanie; granddaughters, Taylor Kinser (Javid Igani) and Haley Dockery (Craig). Also, cousins Elizabeth Miller Rogers and William A. Clift Jr.
 
The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.  A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at Brainerd United Methodist Church with Pastor Tim Bracken officiating. The service will be live streamed on the Brainerd United Methodist Church Facebook Page for those who are unable to attend.
 
Those interested in making a gift to the Frank Kinser Porky's Open Endowed Scholarship can contact Lee Roberts at (423) 425-4773 or Lee-Roberts@utc.edu.
 
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.