Nov. 25, 2009 — Jack Douglas McKinney was a man admired by those who knew him and will always be remembered for his service to the Grayson Fire Department.
The 67-year-old Grayson man passed away Nov. 18 following a brief illness. As a minister, McKinney served as Chaplin for the fire department since 1991, said Deputy Chief Eddie Rucker.
“He later got involved in fire service and was a ranking captain at the time of his death,” Rucker commented Tuesday. “Jack was a good fellow and always kind and thoughtful to others. He would help anyone with problems they might have and when we had fires and a family would lose their home, he would do what ever he could to get them clothes, food and a place to stay.”
After serving in Vietnam, McKinney answered the call in 1979 to preach. He was the former pastor for Hilltop Community Church in Lewis County and also the Lower Stinson Community Church and then pastored for the Coalton Community Church, as well.
McKinney was a member and Chaplin of the Carter County Firefighters Association and member of the National Federation for Chaplains. In fact, he received the Firefighter of the Year award from the Grayson Area Chamber of Commerce in 1993.
McKinney also served as a Sunday school teacher for the Grayson Freewill Baptist Church and was a member of the church’s advisory board.
Rucker said all who knew him would certainly miss McKinney around the firehouse.
“He was just a great man that cared for everyone,” Rucker added. “I know all the firefighters will remember him as a person who did everything he could to help others.”
The Grayson Fire Department along with many other firehouse members across the area gathered in Grayson Saturday to honor McKinney with a funeral procession to the Rose Hill gravesite
The precession included numerous firefighters and other service workers who traveled by fire trucks, ambulances and other vehicles along U.S. 60 to Ashland.
At the entrance to the gravesite, an American Flag was hoisted into the air as the long line of friends and family members traveled under it to where their friend and loved one was laid to rest.
Local News
Related Photos
-
photo by JoAnne Dunfee
GFD Chaplain passes
- Local News
-
-
CCDC increases inmate services
The Carter County Detention Center has doubled its space for services such as GED test preparation, drug and alcohol counseling, voluntary religious services, anger management and attorney/client meeting space.
-
Fiscal Court approves refinancing of jail bonds
How to save money was the key discussion subject at a special meeting Tuesday of Carter County Fiscal Court. Judge-Executive Charles Wallace approached the Fiscal Court members with figures he claims will save the county nearly three quarters of a million dollars over 20 years.
-
Academics in Action: Be a reader, Be a leader
Giggles burst out of five third grade boys as they read “Superfudge” by Judy Blume. The boys are part of an after-school program designed by the West Carter High School Community Problem Solving Team to make reading fun. The program is called Be a reader, Be a leader.
-
York, Adkins to square off in 99th District
State Reps. Jill York, R-Grayson, and Rocky Adkins, D-Sandy Hook, have filed candidacy papers to run for the House seat now held by Adkins in the 99th District.
-
Adkins is no stranger to Carter County
If the legislative redistricting bill survives a court challenge, Rep. Rocky Adkins says he will feel right at home being Carter County’s state representative. “Local officials, school people and lots of other citizens from Carter County have called or walked up in all kinds of places to welcome me,” Adkins said last week.
-
Magisterial redistricting in Circuit Court on Feb. 6
Carter Circuit Judge Rebecca Phillips will hear arguments next Monday at 1 p.m. in Mignon Colley’s lawsuit against Fiscal Court over its refusal to realign the county’s magisterial districts.
-
Carter County Public Library is thinking outside the books
More than just books. Nellie Jordan, director of the Carter County Public Libraries, said that thinking outside of the books is a key way to boost community interest and involvement in their libraries.
-
Winter Adventure Weekend a hit
Suspended by ropes in a treetop some 50 feet above the ground, Kendra Athy let out a small yelp. “I heard somebody say ‘Cut her down!’” she said.
-
Sheriff gears up with new weapons
Carter County sheriff’s deputies are better armed after last week’s purchase of six assault rifles. Deputies had been responding to emergency calls and serving warrants armed only with handguns which Sheriff Casey Brammell said was dangerous business.
-
York, Adkins to square off in 99th District
State Reps. Jill York, R-Grayson, and Rocky Adkins, D-Sandy Hook, have filed candidacy papers to run for the House seat now held by Adkins in the 99th District.
York’s former 96th District seat was relocated to Fayette County.
The new 99th District consists of all of Carter and Elliott counties and parts of Boyd and Lawrence counties.
- More Local News Headlines
-
CCDC increases inmate services
