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TJ's Livestream Service will begin at 11 a.m. CT on Friday, December 12, 2025. Scroll down to the Webcast section and click on "Watch Now."

Sun Prairie - Thomas John “TJ” Kinney, 21 years old, passed away in an unexpected tragic accident on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. Born on May 2, 2004, to Carla Holtan Kinney and Tom Kinney, TJ lived a life embedded in faith and integrity and had a heart overflowing with love for others.

TJ grew up in Madison, Wis., and cherished his family, especially his brother, Nathan, and sisters, Cora and Elle. He was passionate about golf, friends, country music, and fitness. He played youth, high school, and college recreational sports, participated in a Bible study, and regularly donated blood and plasma. In his life he enjoyed traveling. This year he got the opportunity to go to Italy and described it as the “trip of a lifetime.”

Thomas began his education at Saint Maria Goretti and continued it at Edgewood High School. He was a senior at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse and will posthumously receive a degree in finance. He was proud to be an Eagle and embodied their mission every day through his inclusivity, generosity, and passion in giving back to the community. TJ was honored to be on the social chair committee and part of the mentoring program at Delta Sigma Pi, UWL’s business fraternity, and while attending school he worked part time at First Community Credit Union and Texas Roadhouse.

TJ was known for having the kindest heart and was passionate about his community, loving to make an impact that was larger than himself. He was the kind of person that loved bringing people together, and everyone who knows TJ has a story about the positive impact he had on their life. His family and friends were blessed by the twinkle in his eye and his smile, sensitivity, kindness, and generosity. He had a way of connecting with others in every situation, whether it be through his big heart or humor. His legacy lives on through his organ and tissue donation, and his gift will save 40 or more lives.

TJ will be missed by his mom, Carla; dad, Tom; and sisters, Cora and Elle; as well as his grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and those who became his chosen family. He was preceded in death by his brother, Nathan; uncle, grandfather, and great-aunt.

In honor of TJ’s life, the family asks for prayers not only for their own healing but for the recipients of his donor gifts. To survive this tragedy, they knew it would take a miracle, and through prayer they are comforted knowing the miracle received is that, against all odds, he turned out to be the perfect donor. He is so noble, and they know this is what he wanted. He is their hero.

Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Thursday, December 11, 2025, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. at Gunderson EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison. A second visitation will be held on Friday, December 12, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 602 Everglade Drive, Madison, followed by a Catholic Mass at 11 a.m., celebrated by Father Tafadzwa Kushamba and Father Lawrence Oparaji. A luncheon in honor and remembrance will take place after the Mass at Hawks Landing Golf Club, 88 Hawks Landing Circle, Verona.

The family extends their gratitude to the doctors, nurses and staff in the Intensive Care Unit at Gundersen Health Systems, the UW Organ and Tissue Donation team, Chartwells Food Services, and the Vice and Assistant Vice Chancellors and their teams at UWL. They were the family’s angels.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites those who wish to honor TJ’s memory to consider a contribution to two communities he cared deeply about - UW-La Crosse’s College of Business Administration and Delta Sigma Pi, UW-La Crosse’s business fraternity. Gifts may be made through the UWL’s Alumni and Friends Foundation (www.uwlax.edu/foundation/give-now/?fund=151513). Please indicate that any donation is made in memory of TJ Kinney.

“Beat You There” - Will Dempsey

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Thomas John Kinney

May 02, 2004 - November 25, 2025

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