Robert M. Kinney, Jr.

Robert (Bob) Martin Kinney Jr 63, of Tulsa passed away on October 7, 2014 after a hard fought battle with cancer.

He was born in Evanston, IL. on June 10, 1951 to Robert and Maryce (Schott) Kinney. Bob grew up in Tulsa graduating from Bishop Kelley High School and Northeastern State University.

Bob met the love of his life and his best friend, Mary Hammond and they were wed Christmas Eve 1980. Mary was Bob’s rock, and Bob understood throughout their 34 years, the blessing she was. He absolutely adored her. During moves to Oklahoma City, Dallas, and back to Tulsa, his precious son Kyle and his baby girl Lindsey completed the family.
His greatest accomplishment was carrying on his namesake’s tradition (RMK SR) of a loving and caring man to all. People would gravitate to Bob’s kind and gentle nature, as he always looked to help others around him. Friendships that began in school 50 years ago, starting with Tom Egan never waned. Each year of his life, Bob had more and more friends, as people wanted to be next to this man, who saw the good in all.

Bob was an Oklahoma legend regarding his teaching and promoting of martial arts. In 1969, Bob received his Black Belt, under the guidance of Jhoon Rhee, the father of American Tae Kwon Do, and eventually attained the highest rank of 10th Dan. In the 1970’s, Bob partnered with Bill Briscoe to form The Wild Bunch Karate Organization. These two men changed the dynamic of the martial arts scene by creating an environment immersed in the values of Love, Loyalty, Honor and Respect where any individual, no matter their race, creed, religion, or culture could come together to learn traditional Korean Tae Kwon Do and Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate. Thousands of students would go on to call these two men teacher; including National and World Champions. The Wild Bunch is forever grateful to Mary, Kyle, and Lindsey for the time Bob spent teaching.

Bob is preceded in death by his: father, Robert M. Kinney Sr. and brother Bryan Kinney. Bob is survived by his wife, Mary (Hammond) Kinney of the home; son Kyle Kinney of Tulsa; daughter Lindsey (Andrew) Ronnow of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren Kinney and Asher Ronnow; Mother, Maryce Kinney of Tulsa; brothers, Michael (Marion) Kinney of Tulsa, Matt Kinney (Tabitha Gregory) of Valdez, AK, Kevin (Diane) Kinney of The Woodlands, TX; sister, Maureen Gribben of Tulsa; numerous treasured nieces & nephews, and the entire Wild Bunch family.

Please join us for a memorial service celebrating Bob’s life at 4PM on Friday October 17th at the Church of St. Mary 1347 East 49th Tulsa, OK 74105.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Clarehouse (http://www.clarehouse.org) in Tulsa, where Bob received amazing and loving care in final days.