Jim McKinney

Jim McKinney

Aug. 23, 1948 - June 29, 2021

WAUNETA, Neb. — Jim Stewart McKinney, loving husband, father and grandpa, was born Aug. 23, 1948, in Sidney, Neb., to Paul and Virginia McKinney. Jim grew up and attended school in Dix, Neb., and graduated from Dix High School in 1966. He went on to further his education and graduated from Kearney State College in 1970.

On May 31, 1969, Jim married Patsy Smith in Hastings, Neb. The couple first lived at College Heights in Kearney as Jim finished college and in Dix during the summers. They moved to Wauneta in 1970 for teaching jobs and lived in small little houses. In 1977, they built their home out in the country and established their residence ever since.

For employment from around 1966 to 1970 Jim worked for the Interstate Bridge Construction Company and he did oilfield work in the panhandle of Nebraska. After they moved to Wauneta for their teaching, he also had Frontier Birds, raising pheasants, chukars and quail for 25 years. Jim taught woodworking and carving classes. He was a coach for football, basketball, track and golf. Jim helped locals harvest during summer and was a local building inspector. He also taught hunters’ safety and drivers’ education.

During the span of his life, Jim was a member of Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Wild Turkey Federation, many carving clubs and stock club. His hobbies were plenty: hunting, fishing, carving, bird watching, gardening, family game nights and cards, traveling, playing guitar, raising exotic birds, ducks and geese, people visiting and people watching, golf and trap league.

Jim’s LOVE was to spend time and watch his children and especially his grandchildren in all the sporting events, or any activities. Fishing – “Quarter for the first fish” and hunting – seeing the “Big One” brought out to see Grandpa first or how many beards the turkey has. He liked to sit on the back porch with Pat, watching all the birds come into the bird feeders and the kittens playing with his homemade fishing pole cat toy. He also like to sing with family and play guitars with friends and neighbors. Family game night was a favorite. Seeing his sisters and having breakfast with them at the local café, family was everything to him.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Dan; and his brother-in-law, Roy.

Jim passed away Tuesday evening, June 29, 2021, at the Chase County Hospital of Imperial. He was 72 years of age.

Survivors include his wife, Pat of rural Wauneta; daughter, Amy Rozelle and fiancé, Trent Hill of Wauneta; son, Aaron McKinney and wife, Monica of Wauneta; son-in-law, Jonathan Rozelle of Kimball, Neb.; six grandchildren, Kelsey Rozelle, Alexus (Rozelle) Barnes and husband Edward, Austen Rozelle, Braxton, MacKenzie and Gavin McKinney; sisters, Linda Rasmussen and husband, Jack of Dix, Neb., Ruth Wurdeman and Eric Griffith of Dix, and Sharon McKinney and fiancé, Dan Dunnihoo of Dix; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A private family inurnment was earlier at the Dix Cemetery, Dix, Neb. A Celebration of Life will follow on Saturday, July 17, 2021, 11 a.m., (MST) at the Wauneta Community Building, Wauneta.

A memorial has been suggested to the McKinney Family for a memorial fund to be awarded to a graduating senior of Wauneta Palisade High School furthering their education.

Online condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com

Liewer Funeral Home of Wauneta entrusted with arrangements.