Thomas Kinney
May 17, 1949–May 7, 2024

Thomas Edward Kinney (Tom), 74, a life-long resident of Ironton, died Tuesday, May 7, 2024, peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones.
Funeral services to honor Tom’s life will be 11 a.m. Monday at St. Lawrence O’Toole Church followed by a Celebration of Life in the basement of St. Joseph’s Church in Ironton, where friends and family will gather to reminisce and celebrate the vibrant life he lived.
Tom is survived by three adoring children, Thomas Kinney and his wife, Mebae, of San Diego, California, Troy Kinney and his wife, Marcela, of Marysville, and Melanie Kinney and her fiance, Chad Freeman of South Point. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Kayley Kinney, of Cross Plains, Tennessee; his brothers, Jim Kinney, of Boulder Creek, California, Chris Kinney, of Ironton; grandchildren, Pamela and Thomas Kinney-Vargas, of Marysville, and Regan Kinney, of Cross Plains, Tennessee; nephew, J.C. Kinney; great-niece, Loralei.

Tom also leaves behind a loyal, rescued companion, Layla, a 12-year old pit bull that acts like a puppy lapdog.

Oh! and his ex-wives and mothers of his children, Pamela Lambers-Kinney and Cindy (Dickess-Mullins) Childers.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Jim and JoAnna (Thacker) Kinney, of Ironton; and his son, Michael Kinney, of Cross Plains, Tennessee.
Always a very hard worker, Tom had his first job at age six. He was an egg checker at Hannan and Son’s Grocery, a family business that later became Kinney’s Cardinal. He worked every position at the store and eventually managed it.
While attending St. Joseph High School, Tom delivered groceries. He also used the delivery van, dubbed “The War Wagon” to carry around his classmates.
Tom was on the football team four years, playing center, guard and tackle. His freshman year, The St. Joe Flyers won their first Ohio Valley Conference Championship.

His sophomore year, the team won their second straight title and were unbeaten in 1964. He graduated from St. Joe in 1967.
Continuing his education, Tom attended Ohio University in Athens. During breaks from college, Tom would hitchhike home to Ironton. A highlight during college was seeing The Grateful Dead live.

He also drove a milk truck while in college. He was briefly a real estate agent shortly after.
In recent months, Tom said some of his fondest memories were being a den leader for Cub Scouts and taking his troop to Camp Oyo in the early 80’s.

He also reflected fondly on going to NASCAR races, Las Vegas, and sporting events with family, as well as listening to his baby boy play the drums.
Music was very important in Tom’s life. His favorite album was The Beatles’ White Album, which he was listening to when he passed. Tom, a collector of vinyl, saw albums a lot like he viewed experiences in life, each brought a new emotion and a new lesson.
When he was not listening to music, watching sports (Bengals, Reds, Ohio University, Ohio State and Notre Dame), walking Layla all around Ironton, or spending time with family, Tom loved reading books, which he also collected. His love of reading seemed to come from the joy he got from comic books in his younger years. He always spoke of The Fantastic Four No. 4 being the first comic he ever bought.
A cancer survivor, Tom always looked on the bright side and no matter what he went through, saw positive things ahead and always had a smile on his face.

As a father, grandfather, brother and friend, Tom’s love knew no bounds. His impact on all he knew will be everlasting.
Before retiring, Tom worked for the SuperAmerica, later Speedway, managing various stores around the region ending at Rich Oil on Third Street.
With every customer, he always was as cheerful as possible and parted ways by saying “have a great day!”
Tom’s memory will live on in the countless lives he touched, along with the legacy of love and positivity he leaves behind.He will be deeply missed and forever cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to The American Cancer Society (cancer.org).