Larry McKinney, age 76, of the Green Valley community in Spruce Pine, NC went to be with his Lord on Monday, March 20, 2023 at Mitchell House Assisted Living in Spruce Pine with his family by his side.
Larry was born on November 15, 1946 to the late James and Edith Stamey McKinney. He was preceded in death by a sister, Linda M. Harrison.
Larry was a 1964 graduate of Harris High School. He attended North Carolina State School of Architecture and graduated from University of North Carolina Asheville with degrees in mathematics and psychology. His professional career included Engineer for Chadborne, Inc., Charlotte, NC; Vice President, Florida Northern Carriers, Miami, FL and Auditor for Brad Ragan, Inc., Spruce Pine, NC.
In 1974, Larry Established The Klondyke Company Real Estate, which he and his wife, Nina owned and operated for thirty-nine years. He helped to establish the Yancey Mitchell Board of Realtors and served as one of the first presidents and was Realtor of the Year in 1992.
Larry served his church, Mt. Zion United Methodist Church as Chairman of the Finance Committee for thirty years and as a member of the Board of Trustees. He used his gifts and talents by being instrumental in a building project at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church which added a fellowship hall, restrooms and a picnic pavilion, all to the upbuilding of the church and Kingdom of God.
Larry was a water enthusiast. He loved swimming and boating. As a teen, he was a lifeguard at Blue Marlon Swimming Pool in Spruce Pine (if you’re old enough to remember the good old days). The joy and pride of Larry’s life was his son; Chad and grandsons; Luke and Gabe and watching them grow into persons of character as the family celebrated birthdays, holidays, hiking on mountain trails, taking road trips, attending the boys; sports events or just hanging out.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife of fifty-six years, Nina White McKinney of the home, his son, Chad James McKinney, his grandsons, Luke J. and Gabe J. McKinney all of Johnson City, TN; an aunt, JoAnn Buchanan; a niece, Christy Henson and husband, Barry; a brother-in-law, Ernie Harrison; and several beloved cousins, Nita Polizzi and husband, Ron, Cheryl Ollis and husband, Jock, Gina Phillips, Van Phillips and wife, Sherry, Byron Phillips and wife, Karen, Sheila Lovell and husband, Rick, Gene Insalaceo and husband, Ed, Patty Eddins and husband, Bob and a host of friends.
The family will receive friends on Friday, March 24, 2023 from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Webb Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 2:00 pm at the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jock Ollis officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery.
The families’ heartfelt appreciation goes out to Dr. Kelly Rothe and the staff at Mountain Medical Arts, Mitchell House Memory Care for their support, Toe Valley Soup Ministry, the church families of Mt. Zion UMC and Pine Grove UMC, friends that have stood by the family through a long season of illness by giving of their time, prayers, food and most importantly their love. God is good and His love is reflected by those who touched the lives of the family members. Thank You!
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either; Mt. Zion UMC, C/O Judy Dillingham, 556 Hinson Creek Road, Newland, NC 28657 or Hospice and Palliative Care of the Blue Ridge, 236 Hospital Drive, Spruce Pine, NC 28777
Words of comfort may be e-mailed to the family by going to our website; www.webbfh.com, selecting Larry McKinney’s name and then you may sign his guestbook. Webb Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements for Mr. McKinney and is honored to be serving the McKinney family. Mr. McKinney’s obituary has also been posted on Facebook for viewing.
