John Franklin Gainey's Obituary
John Franklin (Jackie) Gainey was born to the late Josephine and Jack Gainey on May 23, 1954. He is the oldest of four, leaving on this earth sisters Patricia Ann Tippitt, Cathy Wood Deason (James) and brother George Gainey (Mindy). John is “Uncle Jackie” to nine nieces and nephews ; Luke, Matt, Tiffany (Bill), Candice, Jesse, Garrett, Griffith, Caitlyn, and Christy. Of immense significance and importance to John are his children, Jocelyn Alexandra Gainey, daughter, and son, Jedidiah Forrest Gainey (Marlee). With a blended family started in 2016 by marrying Dianna Kaye, John added Adam and Kayla Decker as his “bonus son and daughter”, and Huffman in-laws Jerry, Sonja, JoAnn, Gerald, Aleta, Matt and Rachel. John is also delighted to be called “Papa John” by four handsome and boisterous grandsons, Rayden Decker, Xander Brooks, Xavien Brooks, and Jasper Cantin.
Someone recently asked “What are John’s three favorite things?” Without hesitation, we responded FAMILY, FRIENDS, and FLYING… and in no particular order because they are all tied for John’s first place favorites.
“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.” - Leonardo da Vinci.
John enjoyed a nearly 50-year career in aviation which began by his taking a ride as a youngster at Rusk County airport (KRFI) on a C-150, paying a penny a pound for the ride-about 65 cents. There was no back seat, so he crouched down in the little cargo space behind the front seats and enjoyed the ride of his life. After that experience, he would never be the same. Twelve type ratings and dozens of recurrents later, John has accrued over 17,000 hours of total time flying. John’s extensive aviation career includes stints with US Airways, MGM, Caesars Entertainment, Hilton Hotels, USX Corporation, Emkelrads Corporation, US Steel, Meridian Bank, Marathon Oil, Universal Weather & Aviation, and he flew for numerous private jet owners/companies. John’s aviation colleagues hold him in the highest regard as an excellent pilot and dependable comrade, always willing to assist and contribute his expertise, and an all-around great guy to be with. He has made friends all over the world. One pilot friend quipped “China has 1.5 billion people. John knows half of them… the other half have heard of him”.
John is also a flight instructor and kept his flight instructor license current for decades. It is hard to calculate the number of student pilots that John instructed to become pilots, but a best guess would be many dozens (including his wife, Dianna Kaye, and they even stayed married through it!)! He is and always has been enthusiastic about aviation and finds great joy in sharing that world with others.
“Being a family means you are part of something very wonderful. It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life” - Lisa Weed
Whether camping outdoors or cruising on a ship or just hanging out at the house, John absolutely LOVES being with his family and friends. Ma and Pa, siblings, cousins, nephews, nieces, children, grandchildren- all of them have wonderful memories of get-togethers and celebrations with John (affectionately called Jackie by close friends and family members). He is such a social /family bumblebee! In 1978, John sold his Oldsmobile convertible to pay for the 25th anniversary bash for his parents. He and his children loved to take roller coaster rides whenever they could. For one of his birthdays he invited numerous friends over and had a keg of Stella Artois on hand. Flight attendants remember his readiness to celebrate after a long flight across the “big pond”. Preparing for the celebration was on the final approach checklist. Many of John’s friends and family shared the love of bicycling. John rode seven RAGBRAI rides - the famous annual ride across Iowa, which is held the last week of July. He called it the most expensive one-star vacation ever! John often made reference to his “Holy Family” - a flight crew that traveled the Holy Land with many wonderful experiences and memories. John enjoyed playing golf with his friends and family. His favorite saying “I shoot in the low 70’s… any higher temperature makes me sweat”. He occasionally liked to smoke a good cigar, and he loved to share fine wine and spirits with friends and family. John is a die-hard Pittsburgh Steeler fan, and being a proud season ticket holder, he delighted in taking family and friends to Steeler games. He was never hesitant to shout “GO STEELERS!”
For several decades, John has sent a Quote of the Day every weekday via email to anyone who accepted his invitation to be included. A recent count was over 250 recipients. The quotes are uplifting and thought-provoking, avoiding controversial topics - with deliberate positive, thoughtful themes. His daughter has lovingly taken the task over, continuing John’s good will and desire to make a positive difference through daily quotes.
Lastly, John was well known for his unique and memorable sayings. Here are as many of them as we could remember, which we call “GAINEYisms”:
“ I have a good memory - it’s just short.”
On being a pilot - “it’s a rough waaaay to make an eeeeeasy livin’”.
“You’re not the best… you’re the VERY best”
“If I was any better, I’d be twins”
“Darlin’, I was born at night, but not last night”
“It’s your world; I’m just living it”
Upon buckling his seat in the cockpit EVERY time “God Bless you, Tommy”.
“A + Top of the Class
“Drive careful out there - those roads are slick”.
“Darlin, are you from here or just passin’ through?”
“How y’all doin’?”
“Of course, my pleasure, happy to” in response to someone thanking him… a lot of people say “no problem”. John felt “no” and “problem” were just too negative.
“Make it a GREAT day!”
“To the sweetest gal this side of heaven”.
“She’s the boss” (no explanation needed here)
“Where are you going? What are you doing?”
“Have I told you I love you lately?”
“Spread out like a dog’s breakfast”!
Loving husband, father, brother, uncle, friend and Papa John, we will NEVER forget your kind soul, your generosity, your fun sense of adventure, and your infinitely contagious positive attitude. Greatly loved, deeply missed – your life has been an absolute blessing to us all, and your memory is forever our treasure.
Mark your heading for 270 degrees WEST at Mach 9.0, Captain Gainey!
The Recitation of the Rosary will be Friday, May 3, 2024 at 4:30 pm with a time of viewing that evening from 5:30pm-8pm. His funeral service will be Saturday, May 4, 2024 at the funeral home starting at 10am. Interment will follow at Lakewood Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to Women in Aviation International would be appreciated., 1864 Dayton Germantown Pike, #4, Germantown, OH 45327, or online atwww.wai.org/donate-to-wai. Indicate that your gift is in memory of John Franklin Gainey
Thank you!
What’s your fondest memory of John?
What’s a lesson you learned from John?
Share a story where John's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with John you’ll never forget.
How did John make you smile?
