Gregory Kinder

Gregory D. Kinder, age 60, passed away April 20th, 2018. He was born in West Hamlin, West Virginia and grew up in Blackford County, Indiana. He graduated from Blackford High School in 1977 and enlisted in the Navy, intending on only serving four years, yet later found himself serving in the U.S. Navy for 30 years before retiring. Gregg spent his first assignment in Washington D.C. from 1978-1980 where he was “adopted” and mentored by Pastor Floyd & Betty Murphy and the Stump family. Pastor Floyd later officiated at Gregg and Janice’s wedding.

During his Naval career, Gregg spent tours on the USS Kitty Hawk, USS Spruance, Scotland, Supreme Allied Command – SHAPE Belgium, and both NAS Jacksonville and NS Mayport, FL. While serving full time in the Navy, Gregg obtained a college degree from Southern Illinois University (SIU). He was the first of his family to obtain a college degree. A testament to his awesome example, all three of his sons have since graduated from college. Following his retirement as a Command Master Chief in 2007, he worked for a brief time in admissions at FCCJ, and then decided to open his own trophy & awards business in Atlantic Beach in partnership with his wife, Janice.

Gregg’s business donated engraved nametags to Hart Felt Ministries for approximately ten years. He also volunteered his time for numerous duties at his church including driving a shuttle for those who were not able to get to church on their own. Gregg kept his business running with 24/7 oversight for 10 years with the all-encompassing assistance of his store manager, Kassandra Haak. Each of his children worked in the business for periods of time too. Gregg was also blessed by Kassandra’s mother (Clara Haak), who volunteered at the business.

He was a mentor to many high school students and young adults who were employed at the business and opened his home to Daeric Kitting who lived with him for 18 months and continued to work at his business. Gregg also attended church with his employees, Daeric and Kassandra. He grew very close with his Sunday School group and considered them family. After selling his business in June 2017, Gregg went to work at the University of North Florida’s Military and Veterans Resource Center as a Transition Coach where he administered programs to award various scholarships. Since 1999, Gregg resided with his family in Jacksonville Beach and was loved by many all over the world. One of his greatest joys was spending time with and playing sports & riding bicycles with his boys and daughter-in-law.  He was a big man with an even bigger heart.

Gregg is survived by his wife, Janice Kinder, a registered nurse; mother, Mary Kinder; his father, Russell Glen Kinder; his brother, Russell Jr. (Deah Ann) Kinder; his sister, Becky (Pat) McArdle; and their three sons, Ryan (Brianne), a Marine Officer Instructor at the University of Oklahoma and also enrolled in a Masters of Business Administration degree at Florida State University; Kyle Kinder, a Marine Corps attack helicopter pilot in North Carolina; and Isaiah Kinder, a Masters of Engineering student at the University of Florida. Gregg’s only granddaughter, Nora, was the absolute love of his life.

Visitation will be from 7-9pm on Friday, April 27th at Quinn-Shalz Funeral Home with the Memorial Service at Beach Church at 325 7th Avenue North Jax Beach at 2pm on Saturday, April 28th. The Funeral and another Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 5th in Muncie, Indiana at Gardens of Memory-Muncie.