Dan Kinney, 1960
Looking back, it’s easy to see why my dad renamed me when I became a teenager. New name: ”Danny Dumb Ass.” One venture that helped me keep that name began with friends Dave Barrier, Steve Buxton, and Floyd Watson at Joyce Stevens’ family farm. Our goal was to check out the “women” at the farm party.
(At left, Danny’s friends who rolled with the DeSoto – Dave Barrier, Steve Buxton, Floyd Watson)
Off we went in hopes of impressing the girls. That didn’t happen. In fact, the result was quite the opposite. I did not have my eyes or brain focused on where I was driving and rolled my mother’s ’49 DeSoto off the farm pond’s dam. Luckily, the car did not fall on the water side of the dam because it rolled two and one-fourth times. No one was hurt, but the car was smashed like an accordion.
Obviously, no one was impressed, especially not Joyce’s dad. He gave me a stern lecture, which I deserved, and I knew my Dad would re-emphasize my nickname.
Mr. Stevens and Ken Thompson, Jane’s dad, took me home and explained to my mom and dad what had happened. Dad thanked them, and we went to bed without much discussion. I was glad of that.
The next day, we got a chain and pulled Mom’s car home. That DeSoto went down the road 
at an angle because the frame was bent. Besides that, the right rear window was broken out and the car was smashed on every side. Looking at it, you wondered how we all escaped injury.
Not much was said until we got home. Finally, Dad said he was glad we were not hurt, but I would need to find a job because I just bought a ’49 DeSoto. I was sorry and felt bad, but that lasted until the next Elvis song came on a radio.
Any date I had until I was off the hook was pretty embarrassing. We went down the street going sideways and freezing our ***s off because of the back window being out.
Looking back, there were many instances that proved Dad’s nickname for me had merit. When I think about it, I haven’t changed much.
What goes around comes around. I had two sons that were teenagers and driving at the same time. Fortunately, they were smarter than I was.
P.S. I still enjoy Elvis songs.
Editor’s Note: Dan Kinney was an active student at East High. He was elected King of the Junior-Senior Prom and got to kiss the beautiful Queen, Debbie Snyder. In addition to serving in the East High Senate, he was also a stalwart in the senior men’s cheering section at basketball games (that’s Danny hollering next to the megaphone), a member of East’s delegation to Kansas Boys’ State, and a fullback on East’s football team.
Boys’ State Delegates
Upper left, Junior-Senior Prom King;
Back row: Fred Freeman, Dan Kinney; Middle row: Dan
Tontz, Dave Alldritt, Dick Carlock; Front row: Don Trees, Gene Carter.
Right, Dan Kinney, fullback
At right, Dan Kinney, fullback.
