James Sterling 'Spike' Mckinney Jr.

James Sterling McKinney, Jr. (Spike) passed away on February 10, 2016, at the age of 70. He enjoyed life and worked hard for his Lord, family, friends and community. Spike was born on October 24, 1945, in Texarkana, Arkansas, to James Sterling and Doris Mizell McKinney, Sr. He grew up in Freeport, Texas and graduated from Brazosport High School in 1964. He attended college at Louisiana Tech and graduated in 1967 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. After college, Spike attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as an officer in the United States Naval Construction Battalion. He was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam from 1969 to 1970. After being honorably discharged, he returned home and started working with his father at J.S. McKinney, Inc., an industrial piping and pressure vessel fabrication business, in Clute, Texas. He worked at J.S. McKinney, Inc. from 1971 to 2005. Afterwards, he was employed by Freeport Welding and Fabrication Co., in Freeport, Texas, until retiring in August 2013. In 1973 he met and married his wife of 42 years, Carol Gilbert McKinney. Spike McKinney was actively involved in service to the First Presbyterian Church of Angleton through his membership on numerous boards and committees. He also served on the Board of Texas Gulf Bank and as Mayor of Bailey's Prairie. Spike's greatest pleasure was spending time in the outdoors with his friends and family. He was an avid sportsman and enjoyed bird hunting and saltwater fishing. Spike McKinney is survived by his wife Carol of Bailey's Prairie and his brother's Dr. William B. McKinney of Jacksonville, Florida and Dennis M. McKinney and his wife Paula of Austin, Texas. He leaves three children, Dr. James S. McKinney, III and wife Tara of Wilmington, North Carolina, Mark G. McKinney and wife Kristin of Los Angeles, California, and Alison A. McKinney of Angleton. Spike also leaves 2 grandsons, James S. McKinney IV and Michael T. McKinney. Visitation will be on Friday, February 12, 2016 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Palms Funeral Home. Funeral services for Spike McKinney will be at the First Presbyterian Church in Angleton at 2 p.m., Saturday, February 13, 2016 with Rev. Mike O'Neil officiating with burial services to follow at the Angleton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Spike's memory to the First Presbyterian Church of Angleton. Services lovingly fulfilled by Palms Funeral Home 2300 East Mulberry Angleton, Texas 77515 (979) 849-4343. Provide comfort for the family by planting a tree in memory of James Sterling "Spike" McKinney Jr., please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store. Visitation Friday, February 12th, 2016 6:00pm - 8:00pm, Palms Funeral Home 2300 E. Mulberry Angleton, TX 77515 Service Information Saturday, February 13th, 2016 2:00pm, First Prebyterian Church (Angleton) 130 S Arcola St Angleton, TX 77515