John James “Jack” Kinney III

June 13th, 1933 - December 17th, 2024

John's Memory Wall

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My condolences to all of Jack's family. Jack was an amazing person, and I felt privileged to have known him. He and I had many a "spirited" conversation, and while we did not always agree, I always had the utmost respect for him and truly enjoyed his company. He made me better with every interaction and his sense of humor and ability to laugh with me over our differing views is what made him so special. We lost a great example of what it means to be a hard worker, a person that sets high standards, for himself and those around him, while never shying away from being a leader. His greatest trait was that he always was willing to help and support others. That includes a wet behind the ears kid from Kentucky back in 1994. Jeff Noel

Jeff Noel

December 23rd, 2024 at 1:03pm

I met Jack in 1976 when I accepted a position at the soon-to-open South Shore Health and Racquet Club. I was behind the Front Desk the first night the club was open and have had the pleasure to work for the Kinney, Monte, and Lancaster families all these years. Jack and I joked over time that we were the "only two left from the beginning". A man of family and faith who loved business. I have felt his respect and friendship for decades and will miss our chats when he popped in at the club. My thoughts and prayers to Rita and the entire extended Kinney family.

Karen Dudiak

December 20th, 2024 at 4:41pm

What a rewarding life, with greater reward to come. Sometimes, people indulge in the "What ifs" with a sense of regret. Reading about Mr. Kinney's life, all of those what ifs are partnered with optimism, a rather exciting taste for calculated risk, and an evident enthusiasm for work that mattered. Included in the work that matters, and matters most, is nurturing a marriage, raising a family, and practicing our Catholic faith with deep fidelity - all things that our flawed world makes even more challenging. How beautifully Mr. and Mrs. Kinney pursued those commitments. Given the immense familial, philanthropic, academic and commercial legacies Mr. Kinney leaves for others to continue and build upon, I am so grateful that he and his wife entertained the question, "What if we return to Benton Harbor?" those many years ago. Peace to all of the Kinney family - your father was, and remains, greatly admired.