James R. Kinney

James Roland Kinney, 81, of Litchfield, passed away on Mon., Nov. 4, 2019 at 2:40 p.m. in Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO.  He was born on Oct. 10, 1938, in Whiteville, TN, a son of Duke William & Bettie Sue (McKinney) Kinney.  James graduated from Whiteville High School with the Class of 1956.  He studied Civil Engineering at Polytechnic Institute.  James was a veteran of the Tennessee National Guard.  He married the former Mary Jane Doss on Sept. 9, 1961 in Selmer, TN.  They later divorced.  He started construction out of college with the Tennessee Highway Dept.  He then went to work for S.J. Groves Construction and Merrill Contractors.  James later became self-employed starting Kinney Contractors, Inc. as a Highway Contractor in 1985 and retired in 2004.  He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Litchfield.  James was a life member of Divernon Lodge #1158 A.F.& A.M., Scottish and York Rite, & Ansar Shrine.  He was very active in area Masonic Lodges.  James was a member of Litchfield Country Club.  He loved to play golf and enjoyed traveling.  He is survived by:

2 sons,                   William L. (Jennifer) Kinney of Litchfield

                               Robert J. (Laura) Kinney of Chatham

2 sisters,                Bettye (Larry) Davis of Covington, TN

                               Patricia Brown of Knoxville, TN

5 grandchildren,     Katherine “Katie” Kinney; Hillary Kinney; Jonathon Kinney; Robert J. Kinney; Alyssa N. Kinney

3 great-granddaughters,   Willow, Lily, & Opal

Special friend & companion, Lavern Pugh of Mt. Olive

James was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, James Roland Kinney, II; and 1 brother, William Kinney.

Funeral services will be held Sat., Nov. 9, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. in Union Avenue Christian Church in Litchfield.  Bishop Lonnie Bruce & Rev. Dennis Hill will officiate.  Visitation will be held on Fri., Nov. 8, 2019 from 3 – 7 p.m. in Plummer Funeral Home.  Masonic rites will be exemplified at 6:00 p.m.  Cremation will follow the services.  Interment of ashes will be in Melrose Cemetery in Whiteville, TN at a later date.  The family suggests memorials to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital – St. Louis or Litchfield Food Pantry.  

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