James Ray Younkin

James Ray "Jim" Younkin passed away on Monday, May 13, 2019 after a full and wonderful 90 years. Born on April 3, 1929 in Fairfield, Iowa to Howard and Evelyn Younkin, Jim had an interest in aviation from a very early age. He was the youngest of three brothers who were all avid model airplane builders, and both of his brothers enlisted in the navy to fly in World War II. After a brief stint in Texas, the family moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas. Upon graduating from Fayetteville High School, Jim joined in the Army in 1946 and used the GI bill to put himself through college at the University of Arkansas, where he later had a brief tenure as a professor. Following college, Jim combined his electrical engineering knowledge and aviation background to design the first miniaturized solid-state slaving system for directional gyros used for general aviation flight instruments. He went to work for Hughes Aircraft Systems in Phoenix, where he was on the guidance systems program for the Phoenix Missile. He then went to work for an aviation instrument company out of Houston, Texas and found himself at Mitchell Industries in Mineral Wells, Texas, where his career really took off. Jim designed the Century I-IV series autopilots for general aviation aircraft, which replaced the antiquated WWII surplus systems that had been employed up to that point. He also designed one of the first successful horizontal situation indicators, a derivative of which is still being manufactured and installed in aircraft to this day. In 1978, Jim retired from the autopilot world and started restoring antique airplanes. He built replicas of the Golden Age air racing aircraft, such as the TravelAire Mystery Ship and Howard "Mr. Mulligan", modified a series of Beechcraft Staggerwings now known as "Younkin Staggerwings", and had his hand in the design and recreation of many other antique and classic airplanes. He also designed and scratch-built 4 examples of an aircraft he dubbed the "Mullicoupe," which combined aspects of a Monocoupe and Mr. Mulligan. In 1999, he became the co-founder of TruTrak Flight Systems, the first general aviation digital autopilot company, where he began his third career designing state of the art flight instruments. An engineer by trade, Jim prided himself as a "gadgeteer", which is why he made such an impact over so many facets of the aviation industry. He was a gifted sheet metal craftsman, problem solver, and designer of things. As an avid science fanatic, it was only natural that Jim chose to donate his body to science and medical research before he passed away. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Evelyn and Howard Younkin, his brothers Robert "Bob" and William "Bill" Younkin, his daughter Kathy Jane Younkin, his son Robert "Bobby" Allan Younkin, and his grand-daughter, Amanda Younkin. He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Ada Younkin of Fayetteville, Ark.; his daughter Robin Younkin and daughter-in-law Jeanie Younkin both of Fayetteville, Ark.; his granddaughters, Rachel Kilpatrick and husband Denton, Julie Arnette and husband Eli, and Lauren Younkin all of Fayetteville, Ark.; his grandson, Matt Younkin and wife Kristi of Siloam Springs; 5 great-grandchildren, Madelyn and William Kilpatrick, Kimberly and Robert Younkin, and Alice Arnette; step children Rowdy Northup and family, Janice and Eric Swaggerty and family, Annette and Austin Caldwell and family, John and Rachel Northup and family; and a host of other friends and relatives. Please join us for a celebration of life luncheon at the Arkansas Air Museum in Fayetteville, Ark. on Saturday June 1, 2019 at 12 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Arkansas Air and Military Museum at 4290 S School Ave, Fayetteville, Ark. 72701. Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.