John "Jack" Foster Kinney, Sr. was born in Worcester, MA in 1921 to the late Alfred Russell and Edith Evelyn Creamer Kinney. Mr. Kinney graduated from Georgia Tech, earning two degrees: a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in chemistry. Mr. Kinney served in the US Navy during WWII. He worked at Georgia Tech for 33 years, retiring in 1982. His work at the university included contract work for the Department of Defense, primarily working with the US Navy and US Army Missile Command. While at Georgia Tech he also became a registered Professional Chemical Engineer. After retirement, he worked as a consultant to Cerny & Ivy Engineers for several years.

Mr. Kinney's first marriage was to Julia Fay Hemphill. They lived in Atlanta where they raised their three children. After Julia's death in 1999, he moved to Commerce, GA. While there he volunteered with Reading for the Blind and Dyslexic, and serving with a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program.

In 2002, Mr. Kinney moved to Columbia, SC to be nearer his daughters. It was there he met and married Ann Aaron. John joined Rehoboth United Methodist Church where Ann was a member.

In addition to his wife, Ann, Mr. Kinney is survived by his children, Brenda Bowman, of Columbia, Janice Kinney, of Charlotte, and John F. Kinney, Jr., of Dawsonville, GA; brothers, Richard Kinney (Daisy) of Laurens, and George Sandifer Kinney (Sondra) of Atlantic Beach, NC; grandchildren, Jeffery (Amy), Kristen Gordon, Amanda Overman, and John Foster Kinney, III; great-grandchildren, Dallas, and Hannah Bowman, and Kali Bowman. He is also survived by step-children, Laura Campbell, Susan Mullikin (Cam), Jan Smith (L.W.), Dot Rhyne, Tommy Smeltzer (Stacy); four step-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife, Julia Faye Hemphill; brothers, Alfred and Burton Kinney; son-in-law, Rodney Bowman; and grandson-in-law, Michael Overman.

A memorial service for Mr. Kinney will be held at 12 o'clock, Saturday, February 7, 2015, at Rehoboth United Methodist Church, with The Rev. Doug Benton officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. Memorials may be made to Rehoboth United Methodist Church, 6911 Two Notch Road, Columbia, SC 29223.