Raymond O. Kinnard was the son of Lester T. and Juanita (Johnson) Kinnard. The fourth of five boys, (older brothers Terry L., Matthew C., Oscar R. and younger brother Tyrone R.), born in Jersey City's Margaret Hague Maternity Hospital.

He began his education at P.S. #14 in Jersey City until his family moved to Trenton, NJ in 1971. He attended fifth through ninth grade at Junior Five, which housed both an Elementary and Junior High section, (currently named Luis Munoz Rivera Elementary School). He participated in several school sports, receiving medals and awards on the Track and Field team under Coach Snell, trophies on the Soccer team under Coach Hitchcock, as well as, academic achievement award for his studies. Raymond graduated from Norte Dame High School in Lawrenceville, NJ. While there he attended the Sypek Center, at Mercer County Vocational-Technical School, where he studied Electrical Construction.

During his senior year, he got a job through a school program at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and remained in their employ until he passed away after becoming supervisor of postal clerks. It was also around this time that he would meet his future wife Jackie Davis, mother of his daughters Towanda, Ramona and Rashonda. Raymond attended Mercer County Community College and completed some of the general electives before deciding to devote his time to his work and ever burgeoning family.

He came to embrace his young nephew Steven as a son and from that point on he was treated as such, for that was Raymond's way. He and Jackie eventually separated, but they remained close and continued to parent their children together. After some time, Raymond began a relationship with Patricia Miles and again, as was his way, he was like a father to her sons Christopher and Darnell throughout their fifteen year union. Raymond also had a son named Dymere with Sharon Green.

Raymond was preceded in death by his father Lester in 1996. His three older brothers and granddaughter Christyna Bell also preceded him in death.

Raymond's children had blessed him with many grandchildren as listed by child.
Towanda Davis: Jamal Laramore-Davis, Quaesean Gilbert, Enaje' and Timothy Davis
Ramona Davis-Bell And Willie D. Bell: Shaheed, Shaidaja, Christyna (deceased), and Shaimyre Bell
Steven Jennette: Tashonna Colvin
Rashonda Kinnard and Patrick D. Meyer:
Dymere Hunter: Keirah Hancotte
Christopher Miles: Stanley and Eishon Perry
Darnell Ganges: Aniya Ganges

Raymond had many nieces and nephews as listed by brother .
Terry L. (deceased) and Linda (Allen) Kinnard: Larry Allen, Deva (Kinnard)Loftin and Antron Loftin and their children: Naquan and Eboni Kinnard, Shamare, Omaree and Shaquil Loftin
Matthew C. Kinnard (deceased) and Mary E. Brown: Topanga M. Harmony
Oscar R. Johnson (deceased):
Tyrone R Kinnard and Talaya Greenfield: Tariq M. Kinnard-Greenfield and his daughter Saniyah S. Greenfield

Raymond had a godmother, Violet Fisher, lifelong friends as close as brothers like Terry Bowman, Melvin Ford, Steven Jeanette Sr. and many other friends and extented family members.