James Oscar McKinley

PERRY- James Oscar McKinley passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 17, 2016, surrounded by his loving and devoted family. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, December 21, 2016, at First Baptist Church of Perry at 2:00 p.m. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery immediately following the service. The family will visit with friends on Tuesday, December 20, 2016, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel at Watson-Hunt Funeral Home. Flowers will be gratefully accepted or memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Perry, 1105 Main Street, Perry, GA 31069. Mr. McKinley was the son of the late Benjamin F. and Elizabeth White McKinley. He was born in Byron, Georgia on March 1, 1923. A lifelong resident of Houston County, he graduated from Perry High School in 1943. Just one month after graduation, he joined the U.S. Army and proudly served our country as a Corporal in the 325th Infantry Regimen in the second wave of the D-Day Invasion on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France, during World War II and in the Battle of the Bulge. For his service, Mr. McKinley was given a Bronze Star and the French Legion of Honor Medal. When he returned home, he worked at Penn-Dixie Cement Company until he was hired with Civil Service at Robins Air Force Base. Late in his career, Mr. McKinley decided to try his hand at local politics, and was elected to Perry City Council. After serving for several years, he was elected Mayor of Perry, and soon retired from RAFB as a computer programmer after nearly 30 years of employment. Mayor McKinley was honored to serve his family, friends, and community from 1974 to 1980. As Mayor, he played a significant role in the redevelopment of downtown Perry, as well as, Christmas at the Crossroads. He also designed the city of Perry flag and the stationary that is still used today. James loved Perry and enjoyed telling stories of playing on Carroll Street as a child and the vast improvements that Perry has undergone since then. Mr. McKinley was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Perry and the Barnabus Sunday School Class, a former member of Perry Kiwanis Club where he was recognized at Kiwanis Man of the Year in the 1980's, a member of Perry VFW, American Legion, Houston Lodge F&AM 35, 35th Infantry Division Association, McKinley Historical Society of Pike County, and Al Sihah Shrine Temple in Macon. James was a true friend to many. He was always looking to serve others and help when needed, and often tried to anticipate what people needed and provided without question. A loving and devoted family man, he adored his family, always providing for them and loving them unconditionally. James was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather who will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Margaret "Meg" McKinley; and his siblings, Ruth Walton, William McKinley, Louise Crockett, and Martha VanAsdalan. Left to cherish the memories of James are his loving and devoted wife of 60 years, Mable Rigdon McKinley; his daughters, Julie McKinley Foy (Dan) and Angie McKinley, both of Perry; his grandchildren, Tyler McKinley Foy, Maura Foy (Brian Stokes), and Mallory Foy, and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend a special "Thank You" to Mr. McKinley's caregivers, Wanda McNeil and Edna Ned.

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James Oscar McKinley

March 1, 1923 - December 17, 2016