In loving memory of
John Cheney, Jr

• March 21, 1945
• -
• August 17, 2020

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John Mell Cheney, loving husband, father, brother, and friend –passed into his heavenly home on August 17, 2020 in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. He was born on March 21, 1945 in Athens, Georgia to John Mell Cheney Sr. and Evelyn Dial Cheney. 

John earned his BBA and MBA degrees from The University of Georgia and his Doctor of Business Administration with a major in finance from The University of Tennessee after graduating from Athens High School. His career as a professor began at Truett-McConnell College and continued with positions at Western Carolina University, University of Tennessee, and at University of Central Florida for thirty years, including ten years as chair of the Finance Department of the College of Business Administration.  John was awarded Professor of the Year six times and an active member of The American and Southern Finance Associations.  John authored hundreds of research articles and two finance textbooks.  He also served as a visiting professor at the University of Porto, Portugal for several years. John’s consulting business performed business valuations for companies and families throughout Central Florida. His daughter, Cheryl, worked in his consulting firm during college and upon graduation before starting her career. 

Along with molding thousands of young minds throughout his career as a finance professor, he was an active member of his home community of Oviedo. John served on many committees at The First United Methodist Church of Oviedo including chair of administrative council and finance committee and was instrumental in financing of the Christian Life Center. He was a member of the Oviedo Land Planning Committee and he also served on the Board of Directors of the UCF Credit Union and the Orange County Investment Committee.

Fishing was one of his favorite pastimes, particularly with his brother. John was also an avid reader, gardener, stock follower and investor. He loved spending time with his family and delighted in having a son-in-law, Craig. He also served as an honorary Board Chair of C&G. 

John enjoyed traveling and spending time at the family vacation home in Lake Glenville, North Carolina. Another of his favorite activities was playing on the UCF faculty basketball team who usually beat their student competitors. John was an avid Georgia Bulldog who rarely missed a game and they will now have one more angel watching over them in the 4^th quarter. In addition to the Georgia Dawgs, he has always considered his beloved dogs family members.

John is predeceased by his parents and is survived by his wife Anne Penley Cheney, daughter Cheryl Cheney Bunker, son-in-law Craig Bunker, brother Joe Cheney and wife Teresa, two nieces, one great niece, and many cousins.

John was buried at Evergreen Memorial Park in Athens, Georgia. John’s Celebration of Life on will be September 3, 2020 at 11 a.m. at The First United Methodist Church of Oviedo with a reception following at Dominick’s Restaurant, 1301 Winter Springs Blvd, Winter Springs, FL 32708.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Oviedo AV Fund, 263 King Street, Oviedo, FL 32765.