John James “Jack” Kinney III

Jack was born on June 13, 1933, at Mercy Hospital of Benton Harbor, Michigan. From that day until college, he lived at 681 Pipestone Street with his parents John and Magdalene and his older brothers Patrick and Ronald. Jack referred to these early years as a “normal upbringing,” but then with a wry smile he would tell of all the adventures he and his brothers would have with the neighborhood gang. It was an idyllic childhood in retrospect. He attended St. John’s Catholic School where he played sports, especially football. The family took car and train trips through the continental US, Canada and Mexico. Traveling and seeing the world was a family passion. Jack grew up with a strong Catholic education at home, school and church. In September of his senior year he met a beautiful freshman girl. He offered her a ride in his convertible, and from then on they were a couple. In 1951, Jack enlisted in the Navy after high school. He went to boot camp at Naval Station Great Lakes and attended weekly Navy meetings back home. Jack followed his brother Ron to John Carroll University, where he made lasting friendships and attended reunions later in life. At JCU, he studied history and business. Since JCU required all students to be in the ROTC Army, he had to join up and attend drills and meetings while also being required to do the same for the ROC Navy, but off campus! This meant that Jack was for a time simultaneously in the Army and the Navy. Navy OCS (Officer Candidate School) followed, and after graduation, he received his Navy commission and was promoted to Lieutenant. In 1955, Jack and Rita wed and began their married life in the Navy. Jack was first assigned to Key West, Florida for sonar school, and then was sent to US Naval Stations on Bermuda and Nantucket. Jack’s assignment was SOSUS, or Sound Surveillance System: a state-of-the-art, top-secret network of hydrophones in the Atlantic Ocean tasked with tracking Soviet submarines during the height of the Cold War. Once he completed his obligation to military life, Jack and Rita returned to Benton Harbor to start civilian life. Since coal was being phased out, it was suggested that Jack attend a meeting in Grand Rapids about ‘life after the coal business.’ He met a gentleman who recommended going into the asphalt business. With this suggestion and encouragement, Jack decided to give it a go, and launched a new business enterprise, Consumers Asphalt. Jack put everything into this business and thrived, to put it mildly. Jack was active in the Twin Cities community, participating in profit and non-profit endeavors over the years. Jack was notably one of the founders, and later sole-owner, of South Shore Heath and Racquet Club in St. Joseph. Jack and Rita raised their family of five children in Benton Harbor and St Joseph. Jack was a great presence in his children's lives, and he was proud of them. Together, they spent many memorable years at Jack’s family cottage, which he bought from his parents, at Sister Lakes. Jack wished for his children to have the same summer experiences that he did. The cottage became Jack and Rita’s home for many years, where they enjoyed entertaining their grandchildren. Jack adored them and was proud of their accomplishments. Jack also loved his great-grandchildren, who gave him so many smiles. For all Jack’s accomplishments, his faith was above all else. Jack never left the house without his rosary in his pocket. All of Jack’s sacraments have been at St. John’s Church, beginning to end. Jack is once again with his parents, John and Magdalene, his brothers Patrick and Ron, and his dear grandson John David.

Jack is survived by his five children, Ann Therese (Patrick) O’Brien, John David (Mary), Timothy James, Carol Ann (Warren) Rose, Jacquelyn Ann (Anthony) Monte.
Jack was a very proud and loving grandfather to Catherine (Scott) Wagner, Meghan Carol O’Brien, Erin Kinney, (fiancée to Max Hamil), Henry Kinney, Frances Rose, Samuel (Krysten) Monte, Sarah (Jacob) Lancaster, Hannah Monte, (fiancée to Ryan Kaye).

Jack was a great-grandfather to Colin Wagner, Ryan Wagner, Amelia Monte, Anthony John Monte, Mariella Lancaster, and Bridget Lancaster.
Jack is predeceased by his grandson, John David Kinney.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 23, at St. John’s Catholic Church, 580 Columbus Ave., Benton Harbor, with Father John Fleckenstein officiating. Burial will be held in Resurrection Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may visit with the family from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 220 Church St., St. Joseph, MI 49085 or Lake Michigan Catholic School Fund, PO Box 32, St. Joseph, MI 49085. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.