John Albert Kirkwood, 79, of Woodstock, died Thursday, August 12, 2021.  Funeral services will be held 11:00 Tuesday morning, August 17 ^th in the chapel of Collins Funeral Home, Burial will follow in the Pine Ridge Memorial Park Cemetery. Born in Philadelphia, John served in the Navy, and moved to Atlanta in 1964 to be with his new bride, Margaret Jerrell Howard, and her three daughters. They had a son, Chris. In 2005, John met the second love of his life, Sandy, and they were married on June 19, 2021.  He was employed with Carithers Flowers.  Survivors include wife, Sandra Retherford, children, Danni Mendoza, Teresa Painter, Jeana Prescott, Leslie Maples, and Kevin Retherford, siblings, George Kirkwood, Margaret "Sis" McDonald, and Elizabeth Vath, grandchildren, Ronnie Sears, Anna McCubbins, Jamie Dowdy, Jennifer Scarboro, Laura Carter, Micah Prescott, Eileen Maples, and Finnegan Maples, and nine great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren, and eleven nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Margaret Jerrell Kirkwood, and son, Christopher John Kirkwood.  The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 8:00 on Monday evening, August 16 ^th, Collins Funeral Home 4947 North Main St. Acworth, GA 30101 770-974-3133.  Please check back for full obituary.