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John Joseph Kearney, Sr.

May 4, 1951 ~ July 29, 2020

Posted 8/24/20

Father, veteran, mechanic and truck driver

It is with a very sad and heavy heart that the family and loved ones of John Joseph Kearney, Sr., of Bunnell, Florida, announce that he made his final …

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John Joseph Kearney, Sr.

May 4, 1951 ~ July 29, 2020

Posted

Father, veteran, mechanic and truck driver

It is with a very sad and heavy heart that the family and loved ones of John Joseph Kearney, Sr., of Bunnell, Florida, announce that he made his final transition peacefully from this earthly plane of existence, in hospice and with family by his side on July, 2020. John was only 69 years of age.

John was born on May 4, 1951, in Monticello, NY. He was the youngest of 9 children by the late William H. and Julia Murns Kearney.

John was a graduate from Monticello High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1969, when he turned 18 years old. He honorably and faithfully served his country for over 14 years - first as an infantryman, then later on as a food services specialist.

He received several medals of honor for his service to his country - these were: Expert Rifleman; National Defense Service Medal; Good Cadet Medal with 3 Bronze Loops; and Army Service Ribbon for Overseas Medal.

During the early course of his military career, John lived in Columbus, Georgia, and was stationed in such places as Ft. Benning, Georgia, Erlangen, Germany in the early 1980s, and eventually was honorably discharged from service in Ft. Hood, Texas in 1983.

After leaving the service, John went on to become a manager for U-Haul in Killeen, Texas, and he was also employed as a school bus driver for Rolling V Bus Corporation in upstate Sullivan County N.Y., as well as a mechanic for Webbs' in Lakeland, Florida, when he relocated there in the early 1990s. In his later years, John was also employed as a mail delivery driver for the U.S. Postal Service.

In his personal life, he was a loving, devoted husband and father of 4 children. He was married to Rethea W. Kearney for over 45 years, and loved her very much, in sickness and health, for better or worse.

When his wife became seriously ill and placed in nursing care in 2012, John was the one who came to see her every day, faithfully and loyally for over 8 years. He then became one of the most passionate advocates of those who are placed in skilled nursing homes and with great wit, humor and charm, won over both the nursing home staff in Auburndale, Florida, and Daytona Beach, Florida. John was a very patient and gentle person.

On a more personal note, John enjoyed smoking a cigarette and having a cold beer, while watching WWF wrestling matches in his private time. He also enjoyed nature, and that is where he shared his love of the great outdoors with his children.

Sadly, John was preceded in death by his wife's passing on December 2019. This was a tremendous loss, because she was his devoted life partner for over 45 years. He was never the same after he lost her, and wanted to be with her as well. Together, they raised a family of 4 children, certainly no easy feat for an Army man! They had a wonderful life full of adventure and hope together, and now they are finally reunited together again!

John was the type of person who would give you the shirt off his back and help anyone who asked. He had a great and generous soul.

John was preceded in his passing by his loving wife of 45 years, Rethea W. Kearney, and his loving sisters, Anna Laufersweiler and Bridget P. Kearney of Florida, along with his brothers George Murns, Arthur “Artie” Kearney, William “Bill” Kearney, Richard “Dickey” Kearney, and Francis William Kearney.

He is survived by his last living brother, Floyd “Buddy” Kearney and his four adult children; his namesake and oldest son, John Joseph Kearney, Jr. also known as Johnny or “J.J.”and his wife, Peggy Sue, of Bunnell, Florida; his younger son, Francis “Frankie” William Kearney, his two daughters, Peaches A. McCullough and husband Dwayne of El Paso, Texas; and Sherie W. Turpin and her husband, James of Baltimore, Maryland.

He is also further survived by 16 grandchildren and 1 great grand child-Chyenne, Kierra, Logan, Skylar, Maddie, Jocelyn, Tiara,Olivia, Charlotte, Jeremy, Allyiah, Alyssa, Miranda, Lillian, and Abigail.

There will be no funeral service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to these fine organizations:

The American Heart and Lung Association

The American Cancer Society

The Stuart F. Meyer Hospice in Palm Coast, Florida

Any organization that supports and honors your Armed Service Veterans.