James Paul Kinney, Jr

In the depths of the Great Depression, James Paul Kinney, Jr., age 74, was born in Blackshear, Ga., near Waycross, on August 17th, 1932, to James Paul Kinney, Sr. and Sarah Margaret Webb Kinney, both teachers.
James Paul Kinney, Jr., died on Monday morning, March 5th, 2007 at his home in Rome, after a short illness. He and his wife, Shirley Annette Foster Kinney would have celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on April 13th, 2007. Mr. Kinney was a graduate of Americus High School, attended Georgia Southwestern College in his hometown of Americus and received a BS in Chemistry from the University of Georgia in 1954. He also took courses at Clemson University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Mr. Kinney served as a member on the University of Georgia Band. Mr. Kinney came to Rome on March 31st, 1954, just a few weeks after the first Rome-built transformer was shipped. He retired after 42 years from General Electric on February 29th, 1996. He was Senior Development Chemist of Materials and Process Technology of the Transformer Business Department at General Electric Company. Mr. Kinney joined the General Electric Co. as an analytical chemist. He participated in the evaluation and introduction of several new insulation systems. He had taught evening courses in chemistry at Berry College and to applicants for registration by the Georgia State Board of Engineering Examiners. Mr. Kinney became a Life Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers and the American Chemical Society, which recognized him for 50 years of service on January 1st, 2003. He is past president of the Georgia Section of the American Chemical Society and the I.E.E.E. He was a charter member and past president of the Floyd County Lions Club and past president of the Rome Interclub Council. He contributed many articles to chemical publications and was recognized for his patent applications. James loved reading and assisting his wife with her genealogical research. This resulted in finding his relationships to Samuel Clemons, Cora Harris, a Mayflower line and numerous lines to Revolutionary ancestors. Preceding Mr. Kinney in death were his parents, 1 uncle, Benjamin Clark Kinney, 1 aunt, Mrs. Rosaline Kinney McKinney of Lincolnton, GA. and 1 nephew, David William Turner of Smyrna.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley Annette Foster Kinney, two children, a daughter, Dr. Kathleen "Kathy" Kinney, of Rome, a local veterinarian, a son, James Paul "Jimmy" Kinney, III, and his wife, Virginia Mauldin-Kinney and their two children, Heather Marie Kinney and Phillip Morgan Kinney of Tucker, GA. 1 sister, Sarah Margaret Kinney Turner of Smyrna, and 1 niece, Susan Dale Turner Ciaverelli of Baltimore, MD.
Graveside and interment services for Mr. Kinney will be held Wednesday morning, March 7th, 2007, at 11 o'clock at Oaknoll Memorial Gardens with memorial services to follow at 12:30 p.m. in the Chapel of the First Baptist Church of Rome with Dr. Joel Snider and Dr. Floyd Roebuck officiating.
The family will receive friends at Fred Talley's Parkview Chapel Funeral Home this (Tuesday) evening from 7 until 8 o'clock. At other hours they will be at the residence.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Heyman HospiceCare, 800 North Broad Street, Rome, Georgia 30161.
Please join the family in honoring James Paul Kinney, Jr. by visiting www.talleysparkviewchapel.com and posting your tributes and memories.
Fred Talley's Parkview Chapel Funeral Home has charge of the funeral arrangements for James. Paul Kinney, Jr.