James Thomas McKinnon

James Thomas "Jim" McKinnon, 103 1/2, of Little Rock and Hot Springs Village passed away on Saturday, March 26th, 2011. He was born on October 27th, 1907 in Trimble, Tennessee to the late James and Lou Addie (Pierce) McKinnon. Jim grew up in Trimble where he lettered in football and graduated from Trimble High School. After high school, he moved to Little Rock where he met and married the love of his life, Katheryn Fewell, on September 1st, 1931. They spent over 76 wonderful years together. Jim was employed with Piggly Wiggly and Safeway Stores before serving as a tail gunner in the United States Air Force during World War II. After returning to Little Rock, Jim went into business for himself, buying Tedders Grocery Store on Kavanaugh. He later built a second store on R Street, Heights Thriftway Market. During his career, Jim also served as Secretary-Treasurer for Affiliated Food and was one of the founders of Pulaski Heights Bank and Heights Real Estate Company in Little Rock. Jim pursued many interests with a passion during his life. He was a long time member of Pulaski Heights Methodist Church in Little Rock and more recently, was a member and Head Usher at the Village United Methodist Church in Hot Springs Village. He was a dedicated member of the Kiwanis Club—having served as President of the Pulaski Heights Kiwanis Club and as a founder/organizer of the Hot Springs Chapter of the Kiwanis Club. As a result of his dedication to service, the Kiwanis club recognized Jim with the George F. Hixson Fellow Award for 53 years of perfect attendance. Jim drove until he was 99 and was able to remain in his own home after his wife passed until he was 103. He was an avid golfer and belonged to the Nine Holer's Club. Jim was also an avid Arkansas Razorback fan, having served as a charter member and President of the Hot Springs Razorback Club and as the "Hog Caller" for Hot Springs Village. In 2009, during the University's celebration of 100 years of the Razorback mascot, Jim was recognized as the University's most legendary fan and was also officially recognized as the oldest ‘Hog Caller'. He enjoyed getting together with his son, daughter, grandkids and great grandkids on special occasions. Jim took great pleasure in his family and friends and will long be remembered as a loyal, caring and giving man that loved life and sought to live it to the fullest. Jim was preceded in death by his wife Katheryn McKinnon; his parents; five siblings; his son James Thomas McKinnon, Jr and his grandson Bennett Harold Thompson, Jr. He is survived by his daughter, Peggy Thompson Brown and her husband Bill; four grandchildren Brock Thompson and his wife, Niki; Beth Bisceglia and her husband, Dave, all of Little Rock; Britney Bouldin and her husband, Brent of Charlotte, North Carolina and Tommy McKinnon and his wife Toni, of Dallas, Texas and ten great grandchildren Zack and Danielle McKinnon, Austin, Brandon and Katheryn Bisceglia, Evan, Ella and Emerson Thompson and Bailey and Brooklyn Bouldin and a host of extended family and friends, all who will miss him dearly. The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Valley Ranch Nursing and Rehabilitation and a warm heartfelt thanks to the wonderful people in rehab for their compassion and love. Memorials may be made to the Village United Methodist Church, 200 Carmona Road, Hot Springs Village, Arkansas 71909 (501) 922-1030 or to the Kiwanis Club of Hot Springs Village, #1 Miranda Lane, Hot Springs Village, Arkansas 71909. (501) 922-2981. Funeral services will be on Friday, April 1st, 2011 at 10 a.m. at Village United Methodist Church with Reverends George McCoy, Tom Jarrell, George Tanner and Norman Carter officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. at Mount Holly Cemetery in Little Rock. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, March 31st, 2011 at Griffin Leggett Healey and Roth Funeral Home, 5800 West 12th, Little Rock, Arkansas 72204 (501)661-9111. Online guest register is available at www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.