Michael Smithson Kinnard

Michael Smithson Kinnard, 68, of Charleston, S.C., died suddenly on Sunday, March 29, 2015, while vacationing in St. Thomas, USVI. Born in Franklin, Tennessee, on August 19, 1946, he was a son of the late John Parks and Martha Smithson Kinnard. Mike graduated from Battleground Academy and earned a Bachelor of Science from Vanderbilt University before receiving a medical degree from the University of Tennessee. It was at UT that Mike met a fellow medical student and daughter of longtime U.S. Rep. Ed Jones, Jennifer Wilson Jones, who would become his wife of 38 years. After Mike's cardiology fellowship at Harvard University, the couple relocated to Memphis, which would be their home for more than three decades, and where they welcomed their only child, Meg. Mike was known by many names - Dr. Kinnard, Daddy, Free Elk - but he cherished perhaps none more than Poppie, the moniker picked for him by his only grandchild, Adair. Mike was a "foodie" before the term existed, constantly seeking out new culinary experiences and sharing his finds with his loved ones, reciting the contents of a delightful meal down to the morsel. He believed in the curative power of laughter, filling rooms across the continents with his distinctive brand of humor. Those he loved, particularly Adair, were regular recipients of Amazon packages, filled with reading material Mike thought they'd enjoy.

There are many things that can be said about Mike's years as a cardiologist. He was a talented physician with a great deal of honors and accomplishments for his work healing the physical heart. More importantly than all of that, however, was his desire to heal the spiritual hearts of countless men through the ManKind Project. He had the uncanny ability to look into a man's "heart" and see his pain and his wounds. He would then love them in spite of their warts and blemishes. He had grown tired of medical practice but received boundless energy through the more than 20 years he devoted to the ManKind Project, mentoring many men, helping them embrace themselves and become better sons, husbands, fathers and humans. He had an endless amount of love for everyone that he met, always looking for ways to be helpful and encouraging. This was perhaps the most beautiful picture of the deep and abiding faith he possessed. An active member of Grace Episcopal Church, Mike cherished his faith, deeply and personally.

Mike is survived by his wife, Dr. Jennifer Jones Kinnard, of the home; daughter, Meghan Elisabeth Kinnard, and grand-daughter, Adair Nanette Hinson, both of Columbia, S.C., as well as many special nieces, nephews cousins and countless friends.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL. A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, April 10, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., with reception to follow in the Memory Garden.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that anyone wishing to make a remembrance to Mike send a donation to the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, PA 23060.