John Joseph Kispert, Jr.

Colonel John Joseph (Jay) Kispert, Jr. USMC (RET) passed away on December 20, 2024, at 11:35am, following a brief illness. He was born on December 12, 1945, in Providence RI and raised in various military locations throughout the United States. He was the son of LT. John J. Kispert, USMC, and Helen Canning Kispert. Jay graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on June 5, 1967, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps that same day. After graduating from The Basic School in 1968, Jay was called to action during the Vietnam War, where he served as platoon commander and rifle company executive officer with the 1st Battalion, 27th Marines. After being critically wounded in combat, he continued his 30-year military career, serving at every Infantry Officer level, with some highlights that include: serving as Commanding Officer of the Marine Detachment aboard the USS John F. Kennedy, Marine Officer Instructor at Texas A&M University, Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, Fleet Marine Officer aboard the USS Blue Ridge attached to the US 7th Fleet, Directorship of The Amphibious Warfare School, Quantico, VA, and culminating in his final assignment as Chief of Staff, Marine Corps Recruiting Depot, Parris Island, SC – the place where it all begins for young men and women who aspire to become Marines. It was during his tour aboard the USS John F. Kennedy that he met his wife Cynthia Lee Haskell, of Clermont in Gloucester, VA. Colonel Kispert retired from the Marine Corps in June 1996. His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit with two gold stars in lieu of a second and third award, the Bronze Star Medal with combat ‘V’, the Purple Heart Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon. His civilian career was also shaped by the same commitment to service that defined his military career. Upon his retirement from the Marine Corps, he immediately assumed the position of Deputy Director and Chief of Staff of the SC Department of Juvenile Justice where he served for five years. Upon leaving DJJ, Jay was recognized by then Governor Jim Hodges with the presentation of the Order of the Silver Crescent, the state of South Carolina’s most prestigious service award. He next assumed the position of Vice President for Business Affairs at Francis Marion University where he served for 18 years. During that time, Jay played a key role in the expansion of the campus and was directly involved in the planning and development of numerous capital projects to include the Lee Nursing building, the Richardson Center for the Child, The Griffin Athletic Complex, The Performing Arts Center and The Carter Center for Health Sciences. Upon his retirement in June 2019, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humanities Degree by the President and Board of Trustees. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Cynthia and two children, Katherine Blair Kispert of Greensboro, NC, and John Andrew Kispert (Amberly), two grandsons, John Beckett and Bowen Brooks Kispert and two granddaughters, Kinsley and Kennedy Craine of Charleston, SC. Colonel Kispert was imbued with a strong sense of patriotism and was extremely proud of the fact that he was the second of three generations of Marines to have served in combat – his father was a Marine Aviator in WWII and Korea, his own service in Vietnam, and his son’s service in Afghanistan. He was a devoted husband and father. His one passion in sports was his beloved UNC Tarheels basketball. Visitation will be held at Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home in Florence, SC on December 28, 2024, from 4-6pm. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery with full Military Honors at a date later to be determined. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Semper Fi Fund for Combat Wounded, 825 College Blvd., Suite #102, PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 92057.