John Joseph "Jay" Feeney Jr.

CMSgt John "Jay" Joseph Feeney, Jr., USAF, Ret., went home suddenly and unexpectedly to be with his Lord and Savior Saturday, November 22, 2025.

Born April 15, 1949, in Sharon, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late John Joseph Feeney, Sr., and the late Leonella Felicita Gaspari Feeney. Jay joined the U.S. Air Force in 1969 and retired at Shaw Air Force Base on 31 August 1993 after 24 years of active-duty service. Some of his more interesting tours of duty included a year in Iceland and seven months in Enewetak Atoll during a nuclear debris cleanup, leftover from our country's atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons. During a tour at Lakenheath RAF in England, Jay found and gave his heart to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and while stationed as an instructor at Chanute AFB in Illinois, he met and married the love of his life Patricia Kirby. Following his retirement, Jay attended the University of South Carolina to complete his master's degree in education. He taught English for several years and eventually became Principal of Furman Middle School where he led them from an F to a B+ state rating. Also, his institution of uniforms at Furman had such a positive effect on student behavior, Sumter School District Two implemented the policy in all of its middle schools. He was a faithful member of Southside Baptist Church, and taught Sunday School for many years. Jay was invited to join Gideons International in 2004 and has been a faithful member since. Patricia became an Auxiliary member and served alongside him. He was serving as the Sumter Camp President at his death. During his time with the Gideons, he distributed thousands of Bibles into the hands of a needy world. He also served as a minister at the Sumter/Lee Correctional Center for nearly thirty years. Jay got such joy telling others about Christ. He spent hours in his Bible studying the Word of God. He was used by the Lord in a mighty way and will be terribly missed by his family who loved him dearly.

Survivors include his wife of forty-eight years; three sons, Justin Feeney (Lisa), Eric Feeney (Zeynep), and Nathan Feeney (Melissa); four grandchildren, Elizabeth Feeney, John Thomas Feeney, Lauren Feeney, and Justin Feeney, Jr., he also claims Melissa Hernandez as a grandchild since she came into his heart and life; and one sister, Mary Deal.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Charlene Taylor, and Geraldine Mead.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Southside Baptist Church officiated by the Rev. Jimmy Holley. Burial with full military honors will be in the Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 12 noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday at Southside Baptist Church.

Memorials may be sent to Gideons International, PO Box 1795, Sumter, SC 29151.