Jimmy Columbus McKenzie

February 18, 1939 - February 7, 2021

Jimmy Columbus McKenzie was born February 18,1939. He passed away quickly and peacefully on February 7, 2021. After a courageous battle with cancer and being declared cancer free he succumbed to the effects of multiple surgeries and treatments. Jimmy was Cool. As in he was raised near the towns of Cool and Millsap in Parker County. He graduated from Millsap High School and then studied at Weatherford College and graduated from TCU in Fort Worth. He later earned a Master’s degree and PhD in Education Administration from the University of North Texas. Jimmy’s education career started as a teacher and school bus driver in the west Texas town of O’Donnell. He then moved to Aledo ISD and eventually settled down in Hurst where he taught at L.D. Bell High School before becoming an original faculty member at Tarrant County College, formerly Tarrant County Junior College. In 1964 he married Janie Stewart and they began their life together in the Mid-Cities. They built a home in Hurst and their marriage was blessed with 3 children Stewart, Nancy, and Jon. He found great joy in his 3 grandchildren Avery, TJ, and Claire. He served the City of Hurst as a member of the civil service commission and 20 years as an elected Hurst City Councilman. As a tenured employee of TCC he was recognized with several excellence in teaching awards and co-authored text books about business machines and business math. He retired from TCC as the chair of the Business department in 2001. However, Jimmy would continue part-time, teaching personal money management courses online for the next 12 years. He was an active member of the Church of Christ and served as a deacon, elder, and Bible class teacher. He enjoyed gardening, traveling, and garage sales. Survivors include his wife of 56 years Janie; oldest son Stewart, wife Kym, and their son TJ; daughter Nancy; youngest son Jon, wife Brianne, and daughters Avery and Claire; many relatives and friends. A socially distanced visitation is scheduled for Saturday, February 13. There will be a private burial near Mineral Wells. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cherokee Children’s Home (https://www.chc4kids.org) or World Bible School (https://www.WorldBibleSchool.org). On Saturday, February 13, 20210 at 2:00 p.m. a Live Stream of Jimmy C. McKenzie's visitation will be viewable here https://video.ibm.com/channel/DURgpAb2EXm