James McKinney (Veteran)

James Harding McKinney, age 90, of Columbia, formerly of Vienna, departed this life Saturday, November 5, 2011, in the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital, Columbia. He had been in failing health for some time. He was born on April 29, 1921, at Summerfield, a son of Arthur Russell and Elizabeth (Schoue) McKinney. Mr. McKinney was united in marriage on December 24, 1949, at Vienna, to Darlene Louise Tackett, and to this union, seven children were born. Mr. McKinney accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour and followed his Lord in baptism early in life, and at the time of his passing, was a member of the First Baptist Church, Vienna. He was a charter member and former officer of the Coffey Brothers Memorial American Legion Post No. 12, Vienna, for over 60 years; the Argyle Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 8045; and the Greater St. Louis Archaeological Society. Mr. McKinney began his military service on July 30, 1942, at Jefferson Barracks and was assigned to Company C 3119th Signal Service Battalion. He was awarded and entitled to wear one Bronze Service Star; the Army Good Conduct medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Campaign Ribbon; five overseas bars; and the Victory Ribbon. A man of excellent character, Mr. McKinney was honorably discharged from the United States Army on December 20, 1945. Following his military service, he was manager of the MFA Farmers Elevator Company, Vienna; for 15 years, worked for Ralston Purina for five years; worked for Western Auto, Vienna, for three years; and continued to be active with friends, family and hobbies as long as his health permitted. Mr. McKinney was an avid Indian artifacts collector and historian of Native American artifacts and had been published in numerous archaeological publications. He was active in coaching girls softball for many years, played baseball while in the military, and a devoted sports fan of multiple community sporting events. He firmly believed in supporting his community and always being a good neighbor and friend to all. Those left to mourn the passing of Mr. McKinney include: two sons and daughters-in-law, Dennis and Karen McKinney, Allen, Texas, and Darin and Merci McKinney, Westphalia; four daughters and two sons-in-law, Denise Evans, Vienna, Dawn and Rowdy Snodgrass, Meta, Dee Kudrna and fiancÈ, John Griffin, Overland Park, Kansas, and Darla and Gerald Schwartze, Argyle; 16 grandchildren, Katie McKinney, Allison McKinney, Dustin Evans, Colby Evans, Dana and Kevin Rehagen, Laurie and Jason Reeves, Douglas Otto, Curtis Kudrna, Jacob Schwartze, Elizabeth Schwartze, Olivia Schwartze, Timothy Schwartze, Kole McKinney and Kylie McKinney; four great-grandchildren, Kaedyn Rehagen, Aubrey Reeves, Talan Reeves and Keetyn Evans; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his former wife and the mother of his children on July 16, 2010; one infant son, William Douglas McKinney on January 5, 1969; his parents; and two brothers, Clarence McKinney and Raymond McKinney. Visitation for Mr. McKinney will be from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, November 10, 2011, with a VFW Memorial Service at 7:45 p.m., in the Vienna Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes and from 10-11 a.m., Friday, November 11, 2011, in the First Baptist Church, Vienna. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, November 11, 2011, in the First Baptist Church, Vienna, with the Rev. Mike Hurtgen, pastor of First Baptist Church, Vienna, officiating. Interment will be in the Vienna Public Cemetery with full military honors. Memorials are suggested to the First Baptist Church, Vienna with envelopes available at the Vienna office of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes or at the church. Condolences may be e-mailed to [email protected]