Obituary of John D. Cairney

John Davis Cairney, formerly of Kearny, entered the presence of his Lord on Sunday, January 10, 2016. He was born on June 14, 1919 in Douglas, Scotland, a mining town in the south of the country. John's father, William, was a coal miner by trade, a native of Douglas. His mother, originally from Aberdeenshire, was a laundry maid in the estate of Lord Douglas. John began his schooling in the village school, but, at the age of seven, emigrated from Douglas to America, where his father found work in the mines near Pittston, Pennsylvania. After three years in Pittston, his family moved to Kearny, New Jersey, where his father was employed out of the mines. Kearny, then a town of predominantly Scottish and Irish immigrants, felt more like home. John attended Clara Barton Junior High School, then Kearny High School, from which he graduated in 1936. He excelled in science and math subjects and thought to make one of these his life's work. Following high school, he found immediate employment with Atlas Supply Company (Atlas Tires and Batteries), a subsidiary of the forerunner of Exxon. He began in the mailroom, moving on to other positions. During World War II, John was drafted into the Army Air Corps. After basic and technical training, he served on B-29 bomber bases on the Islands of Guam and Saipan in the Pacific as a communications specialist. He was honorably discharged following the war and returned to employment at Atlas. At Atlas, John climbed the company ladder. He was ultimately promoted to Production Manager for the Atlas Tire Division, responsible for forecasting market trends for Atlas and thus directing year-by–year production. He completed a 45-year career with Atlas in 1983, having achieved the position of Director of the Human Resources Department. During his life, John had several noteworthy talents. He was a superb woodworker and craftsman, also an accomplished chef. He enjoyed reading, especially books on World War II and theology. His knowledge of both was vast. He was a dedicated man of faith, involved for more than twenty years as an elder in two congregations as well as a gifted Bible teacher. John was preceded into God's kingdom by his wives, Jeanette Mitchell Cairney and Janet Clark Cairney. He is survived by three children, William, Lois Ann, and Marilyn, eight grandchildren, and twelve great grandchildren. Visitation will be held at Kedz Funeral Home, 1123 Hooper Ave., Toms River on Friday from 6 to 9 pm . Funeral services will be held FRIDAY at 8:00 pm. ***DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS, ALL SERVICES FOR SATURDAY HAVE BEEN CANCELLED.***