John Major Kinard, Sr.

John M. Kinard, Sr.

John Major Kinard, Sr. aged 82 of Pascagoula, Mississippi, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2026. Mr. Kinard was born in Brooklyn, NY on June 17th, 1944, to Frank M. “Bruiser” Kinard, Sr. and Mildred “Midge” Kinard.

He attended University High School in Oxford, MS, and later, Ole Miss where he met and then married the late Judy Carolyn Cobb on August 27th, 1967. He was a proud member of Sigma Chi fraternity and a Life Loyal Sig. After receiving his law degree from Ole Miss, the two lived in Jackson, MS for a year before moving permanently to Pascagoula, MS, where he practiced law for over 50 years and was an active member of the Mississippi Bar Association and Kiwanis Club.

His family was his greatest joy, and he cherished every moment spent with his children and grandchildren. He also had a long history with, and a love for, Ole Miss sports, which he instilled in his children.

John is survived by his sons John M. Kinard, Jr. (Jan) and Kirk Lawrence Kinard (Ashley); daughter Mary Kate Thompson (Jim); grandchildren John Major Kinard III, Brooks Henry Merrill, June Sellers Kinard, Georgia Manning Kinard, Ashton Grace Abshire (Jacob), and Nicholas Parker Barnes. He was also “Uncle Johnny” to Frank Manning Kinard III (Jessica), Suzanne Kinard Murray (John), Lauren Lunn-Bice (Justin), and Austin Lunn (Bekah). He is also survived by his sister-in-law Cindy Cobb White (Mark). He was preceded in death by his parents and older brother, Frank M. Kinard, Jr.

A funeral service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Pascagoula, MS, on Saturday July 11, 2026, at 2:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any in-kind donation to St. John’s Episcopal Church in loving memory of Johnny and Judy, and their ashes will be spread in the Memory Garden at the church.

He will be remembered for deep, abiding love and loyalty to his friends, family and community. Immediately following the service, all are invited to a brief celebration of life gathering at the Singing River Yacht Club in Pascagoula until 6PM. — The Kinard Family

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