James Eldred McKinney died peacefully in Madera on December 3, 2014 at the age of 100. He was born April 19, 1914, in Gordonsville, Tennessee to Myrtle and Eva McKinney. Eldred was the fourth son in a family which eventually grew to 11 children. Although he wasn’t the youngest, they nicknamed him Little Boy. He grew up surrounded by many close relatives.As soon as he was old enough, Eldred began working on his parents’ 160-acre farm. There he developed a lifelong love of farming. In 1932, he became the first in his family to graduate from high school. He hoped to complete college, but he had to return home after only 6 months to help on the farm. Later that year, he left Tennessee to join his older brother Buddy, who was working for their uncle, J.R. Gibbs, in Madera.
Soon the McKinney brothers had saved enough money to start farming on their own. Eldred met Mary Harrel in Madera, and they were married on September 2, 1938. They established their first home on the farmland they were renting before building a home on Road 29 for their growing family. Eldred and Mary were devoted partners for 74 years, sharing the work of running the ranch and raising three children. In 1993 they were King and Queen of the Old Timer’s Day parade. Mary died in March 2012.
The McKinney brothers bought the Avenue -15-ranch in 1941, and Eldred farmed it for the rest of his life. He grew wheat and barley until grains became unprofitable, then switched to beef cattle. In 1975, he was named Madera County Cattleman of the Year, and was honored as Senior Farmer of the Year in 1990. Throughout his life, Eldred enjoyed his time at the ranch and had a vital interest in agriculture.
Eldred celebrated his 100th birthday in April 2014, surrounded by loving family and friends. We will remember him for his stories about farming and family, for his love of See’s Candy and banana cream pie, and for the way his eyes twinkled when he watched his great-grandchildren.
James Eldred is survived by his children and their spouses, Virginia and Everett McClaran, Louise and Paul Armstrong, and Don and Cheryl McKinney. His grandchildren and their spouses, Michael and Kelly McClaran, Susan and Bobby Dawson, Heidi and Chris Luedtke, Jennifer and David Ruch, Scott and Cherisse McKinney and Jeff McKinney. His treasured great grandchildren are Kaylee Dawson, Carson and Avery Luedtke, Ryan and Allison Ruch, and Kaylin, Kendall, Mason and Lexi McKinney.
Services will be private, with burial to follow at Arbor Vitae Cemetery in Madera.
Remembrances may be made to the Madera Historical Society, P.O. Box 150, Madera, California 93639
James E. McKinney
James Eldred McKinney died peacefully in Madera on December 3, 2014 at the age of 100. He was born April 19, 1914, in Gordonsville, Tennessee to Myrtle and Eva McKinney.
Eldred was the fourth son in a family which eventually grew to 11 children. Although he wasn’t the youngest, they nicknamed him Little Boy. He grew up surrounded by many close relatives.
As soon as he was old enough, Eldred began working on his parents’ 160-acre farm. There he developed a lifelong love of farming. In 1932, he became the first in his family to graduate from high school. He hoped to complete college, but he had to return home after only 6 months to help on the farm. Later that year, he left Tennessee to join his older brother Buddy, who was working for their uncle, J.R. Gibbs, in Madera.
Soon the McKinney brothers had saved enough money to start farming on their own. Eldred met Mary Harrel in Madera, and they were married on September 2, 1938. They established their first home on the farmland they were renting before building a home on Road 29 for their growing family. Eldred and Mary were devoted partners for 74 years, sharing the work of running the ranch and raising three children. In 1993 they were King and Queen of the Old Timer’s Day parade. Mary died in March 2012.
The McKinney brothers bought the Avenue -15-ranch in 1941, and Eldred farmed it for the rest of his life. He grew wheat and barley until grains became unprofitable, then switched to beef cattle. In 1975, he was named Madera County Cattleman of the Year, and was honored as Senior Farmer of the Year in 1990. Throughout his life, Eldred enjoyed his time at the ranch and had a vital interest in agriculture.
Eldred celebrated his 100th birthday in April 2014, surrounded by loving family and friends. We will remember him for his stories about farming and family, for his love of See’s Candy and banana cream pie, and for the way his eyes twinkled when he watched his great-grandchildren.
James Eldred is survived by his children and their spouses, Virginia and Everett McClaran, Louise and Paul Armstrong, and Don and Cheryl McKinney. His grandchildren and their spouses, Michael and Kelly McClaran, Susan and Bobby Dawson, Heidi and Chris Luedtke, Jennifer and David Ruch, Scott and Cherisse McKinney and Jeff McKinney. His treasured great grandchildren are Kaylee Dawson, Carson and Avery Luedtke, Ryan and Allison Ruch, and Kaylin, Kendall, Mason and Lexi McKinney.
Services will be private, with burial to follow at Arbor Vitae Cemetery in Madera.
Remembrances may be made to the Madera Historical Society, P.O. Box 150, Madera, California 93639
- See more at: http://jaychapel.com/tribute/details/3581/James_McKinney/obituary.html#tribute-startJames E. McKinney
James Eldred McKinney died peacefully in Madera on December 3, 2014 at the age of 100. He was born April 19, 1914, in Gordonsville, Tennessee to Myrtle and Eva McKinney.
Eldred was the fourth son in a family which eventually grew to 11 children. Although he wasn’t the youngest, they nicknamed him Little Boy. He grew up surrounded by many close relatives.
As soon as he was old enough, Eldred began working on his parents’ 160-acre farm. There he developed a lifelong love of farming. In 1932, he became the first in his family to graduate from high school. He hoped to complete college, but he had to return home after only 6 months to help on the farm. Later that year, he left Tennessee to join his older brother Buddy, who was working for their uncle, J.R. Gibbs, in Madera.
Soon the McKinney brothers had saved enough money to start farming on their own. Eldred met Mary Harrel in Madera, and they were married on September 2, 1938. They established their first home on the farmland they were renting before building a home on Road 29 for their growing family. Eldred and Mary were devoted partners for 74 years, sharing the work of running the ranch and raising three children. In 1993 they were King and Queen of the Old Timer’s Day parade. Mary died in March 2012.
The McKinney brothers bought the Avenue -15-ranch in 1941, and Eldred farmed it for the rest of his life. He grew wheat and barley until grains became unprofitable, then switched to beef cattle. In 1975, he was named Madera County Cattleman of the Year, and was honored as Senior Farmer of the Year in 1990. Throughout his life, Eldred enjoyed his time at the ranch and had a vital interest in agriculture.
Eldred celebrated his 100th birthday in April 2014, surrounded by loving family and friends. We will remember him for his stories about farming and family, for his love of See’s Candy and banana cream pie, and for the way his eyes twinkled when he watched his great-grandchildren.
James Eldred is survived by his children and their spouses, Virginia and Everett McClaran, Louise and Paul Armstrong, and Don and Cheryl McKinney. His grandchildren and their spouses, Michael and Kelly McClaran, Susan and Bobby Dawson, Heidi and Chris Luedtke, Jennifer and David Ruch, Scott and Cherisse McKinney and Jeff McKinney. His treasured great grandchildren are Kaylee Dawson, Carson and Avery Luedtke, Ryan and Allison Ruch, and Kaylin, Kendall, Mason and Lexi McKinney.
Services will be private, with burial to follow at Arbor Vitae Cemetery in Madera.
Remembrances may be made to the Madera Historical Society, P.O. Box 150, Madera, California 93639
- See more at: http://jaychapel.com/tribute/details/3581/James_McKinney/obituary.html#tribute-start
