Jerome Frank Kinney III

Jerome F. Kinney III (“Jerry”) passed away on May 13, 2023, at his home in Bethesda, Maryland. He was a residential real estate developer in suburban Maryland.

Born August 15, 1929, in Bethesda, MD to C. M. and Elda Kinney he attended and graduated from St. Albans School where he played basketball, baseball and was a prefect. He went on to attend the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. After graduation, Jerry served as a U.S. Army Lieutenant on the front lines in the Korean conflict with the 45th Infantry Division.

After the war, Jerry returned to DC and started law school, but was drawn to the real estate and construction industry. He formed the Jerome F. Kinney Company and became a significant developer of single- and multi-family residential real estate in the suburban Maryland area.

His first marriage, to Julia Ann Kovach, ended in divorce but produced two children. His second marriage to Carole Steadman, the love of his life, in December 1976 lasted over 46 years until his passing and produced two children.

Jerry was an avid sailor, owning numerous boats over the years including Chesapeake 20’s, a Hinckley, and a custom designed and built cruising ketch, all named “Windward”. His interests also included bike riding, working out, rowing, spending time in Palm Beach and in later years watching sports and working on his personal computer. Throughout life Jerry loved his pets, from his Samoyed Jock in his early childhood, to most recently his little dog Ellie of 17 years. He was engaged in alumni support for St. Albans, acting for many years as Class Agent and winning the Giving Challenge for participation percentage several times. He was proud to have three generations attend the school. Both of his sons graduated from St. Albans, and his eldest grandson is currently enrolled.

Jerry was reserved but loved meeting new people and interacting with them. He was a talker and at a party could effortlessly “work the room” meeting new people and engaging them in conversation. Many a time people would jokingly comment that he could rent himself out as an icebreaker as he would approach strangers and end the new engagement as friends. He was a consummate joker and “kidder” and loved humor and playfully teasing family and friends.

Jerry also had a serious side and was a very principled individual. An example of this and his strong character is the fact that he fought for and won custody of his two children from his first marriage at a time when neither the legal system nor societal norms were supportive of a father raising children.

Jerry was a member of the Chevy Chase Club, Tred Avon Yacht Club (Oxford, MD) and the Beach Club (Palm Beach).

He is survived by his wife, Carole Steadman Kinney of Bethesda, Maryland and Palm Beach, Florida and three children, Jef Kinney (Mary) of Oxford, Maryland, Ryan Kinney (Demi) of Potomac, Maryland, and Kirstin Bryan (Mike) of Bethesda, Maryland. His oldest daughter, Julie Kinney of Tampa, Florida pre-deceased him in 2020. Jerry Kinney also leaves three grandchildren, Will Kinney, Lacey and Chase Bryan, to carry on his legacy.

A private memorial service will be held in June. In lieu of flowers, please donate to either America’s VetDogs (vetdogs.org) or Mutts With A Mission (muttswithamission.org).