James "Jim" Henry McKinney

James Henry (Jim) McKinney

06/10/1937 – 10/29/2026

Jim was born to Ralph and Viola McKinney in Grayson County – Rosehill Community.

He attended Pilot Grove Elementary School as well as Whitewright Elementary and High School graduating in June 1956.

Jim worked on the farm for his first 18 years. In 1956 he began his career in the aviation maintenance field working at aircraft assembly line in Garland, Texas, Chance Vought Aircraft Company, and Bell Helicopter.

He joined the Air Force Reserves in 1958 training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He completed his active duty in Champaign, Illinois.

training in maintaining aircraft accessories. He continued his Air Force Reserve for five and a half years.

He returned to civilian activity in 1958 and joined the civilian work force until 1989 when he joined Cooper Accessory Propeller Repair. He continued his aircraft repair career by joining Avial Aviation until he retired in 1995.

Jim is survived by his wife of 70 years Wanda Sue Alexander McKinney, his son Rick McKinney and his wife Kimberly McKinney; his grandson Brad McKinney and his wife Courtney and great granddaughter Mila James McKinney, Grandson Sterling McKinney and his wife Lauren McKinney; his Daughter Sharon Denise

McKinney Bassett and granddaughter Rebekah Elaine Bassett Griffith and her husband Michael Griffith and great granddaughter Hadley Wren Griffith.

Jim is also survived by sister, Mary McKinney Word; brothers Lowell McKinney and Noel McKinney of Indiana; Sister Nancy McKinney Gentry of East Texas; Brother Sam McKinney; Brother Kenneth McKinney and his wife Sandy of Norman Oklahoma; and numerous nieces and nephews; grand nieces and nephews; and great grand nieces and nephews.

Jim accepted Christ as his personal Lord and Savior on July 18, 1948, in Bethel Baptist Church located in Grayson County.

Jim’s favorite memory verse Is 2nd Chronicles: 7-14: “If my people which are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Jim’s favorite possession is his family and our unconditional love.