John “JK” Gingery

John Klinesmith ("JK") Gingery, the beloved son of John David Gingery and Elmo Klinesmith Gingery, left this earth on April 14, 2024. JK leaves behind his wife of 53 years Kathleen (Clark) Gingery ("Katie"), his children Jennifer Gingery Cook and Joshua Gingery, daughter in law Chelsie Gingery, and grandchildren James H. Cook, III ("Trip"), Lillian Cook ("Lochlan"), Maxine Gingery, and Francis Gingery.

Born in Wilmington, Delaware, JK was raised in the Allegheny Valley. After graduating from New Kensington High School, JK served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Berlin, Germany in 1961. He had a front row seat to the Cold War as he patrolled the West German side of the Berlin Wall, including the crossing known as Checkpoint Charlie.

After his discharge, JK returned to New Kensington where he began a career in sales. JK and Katie married in 1969 and within a few years, left the Allegheny Valley. JK worked for Cargill, Inc., a multinational food corporation for 37 years before retiring as a Vice-President of International Sales in the Corn Milling Division. JK and his colleagues were largely responsible for the introduction of corn syrup into the American diet.

JK's career took him to Germantown, Tennessee, a suburb of Memphis, where he and Katie raised their children. JK's career also took him to far flung places around the world. JK enjoyed deep sea fishing and caught over 1,000 pounds of grouper off the Florida coast.

Throughout his life, JK endeavored to serve others. He worked hard to provide for his family, was an active friend of Bill W. for over 40 years, and spent the last years of his life volunteering to help the veterans of the country he so loved.JK always had a smile for friend and strange alike. He was fiercely loyal to family and friends. He lived a good life and will be greatly missed by many.

JK's ashes were interred at the national military cemetery in Bushnell, Florida in a private service for the family.