Mr. James Trice "Jimmy" Mckinley, Jr.

Mr. James Trice "Jimmy" McKinley, age 83, of Thomaston, died Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at his residence. It was his request to be cremated and to have his cremains buried at Trice Cemetery. A graveside memorial service will be held on Sunday, May 19, at 3:00 PM at Trice Cemetery with Rev. Ray Lowe officiating. The family will receive friends at Fletcher-Day Funeral Home on Saturday evening, May 18, from 5:00 until 7:00 PM.

Jimmy was born in Thomaston, Upson County, Georgia, on September 5, 1940, to the late Annie Laura Blount McKinley and the late James Trice McKinley, Sr. He was born at the home of his grandparents, Susie Trice McKinley and Thomas Richmond McKinley located on Tom McKinley Road. Jimmy was a sixth-generation descendant of William Trice in Upson County.

Jimmy’s early childhood was spent visiting with his maternal grandparents, Etta Hammonds Blount and William Otis Blount at their home on Andrews Chapel Road. He went hunting and fishing with his grandaddy, helped with farm chores, and loved being outside. Andrews Chapel School became a part of his life at a very young age. He went there with his grandparents as a little boy and he made sure it was preserved for future generations.

Jimmy said young people are deprived today because they will never flush a covey of quail while walking in the woods, never see a field of red clover being harvested and bagged, and never get to chase a rabbit in an open field. These were some of his happiest times as a child.

Jimmy started kindergarten at Ben Hill School. Within in a few years Rock Hill School was built, and he attended through the 8th grade. He was a 1958 graduate of R. E. Lee Institute, and he helped organize several class reunions where he enjoyed reminiscing with former classmates.

In 1973 when his parents retired from operating the cafeteria at William Carter Company, Jimmy took over operation until Carter’s closed in 1999. In addition to the cafeteria, he and his father worked a 400-acre cattle operation on Andrews Chapel Road. When his father retired from the farm, Jimmy continued, and with Alicia, he operated the farm until it was sold in 1985.

In 1998, Jimmy decided to run for Upson County Tax Commissioner. He gave the taxpayers 100% of his time while working to improve the integrity of the office. After six years, he decided his work was completed and he “officially” retired when his term expired in 2004.

For many years, Jimmy and Glenda rode many miles in the Southeastern U.S. to estate sales and auctions in search of something unique or something tied to Upson County. Jimmy collected over 250 pieces of Jugtown Pottery and about 20 pieces of homemade primitive furniture made in Upson County. Jimmy also acquired a collection of Upson County artifacts including old letterhead from businesses back into the 1850’s and Upson County Peach Labels. These will be among items donated to Thomaston-Upson Archives and Upson Historical Society in addition to other items that have already been donated to the Archives and Historical Society for generations to enjoy. Jimmy had a passion for Upson County History and would go to great lengths to bring an item back to Upson County for preservation.

Jimmy maintained the Andrews Chapel School for many years as a tribute to the Blount Family and the Andrews Chapel Community. He gave tours to school children about early education in Upson County. He donated the school building and contents to Upson County in 2018 for preservation. His family is still active in the ongoing preservation.

He served as president of Upson Historical Society for two years. It was while he was president that the board of UHS learned the Harrison Memorial Library building was available, and along with others of like mind, the board met with Upson County Board of Commissioners, Thomaston City Council and the Thomaston-Upson Board of Education to present a proposal for an Archives. All of these entities agreed to establish the Archives which officially opened on October 10, 1996. Jimmy served on the Upson Historical Board and the Archives Records Advisory Board for many years. In 2021, Jimmy was honored by the Thomaston-Upson Chamber of Commerce with their Lifetime Achievement Award.

After retiring from the Tax Office, Jimmy was proud of his part in working with the Upson Historical Society for several years to help organize and print Upson County-A Pictorial History in 2009. For the 50th anniversary of UHS, Jimmy conducted tours of Upson County. The tours consisted of 25 historical sites across Upson County. This was a learning experience for lifelong residents who had no idea these locations existed.

In addition to his parents, Jimmy was preceded in death by his sister, Becky McKinley McDaniel, sister-in-law, Bobbie S. Elliott, and brothers-in-law Carlton H. McDaniel, Ronald E. Salter, Bruce Howell, Joe Phelps and Wayne Elliott; and great niece, Laura Huey.  He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Glenda Salter McKinley, daughter, Laura Alicia McKinley, sisters, Linda McKinley Jones and Cindy McKinley (Greg) Culverhouse; sisters-in-law: Sylvia S. Howell, Carlene S. Phelps, Dianne S. (Ben) Boatright, Sylvia S. Ivie; many nieces and nephews, and his furry companion, Mama Oreo. The family would like to thank Jimmy’s caregiver, Jessica Tigner, for her kindness and compassion while also making him laugh.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Upson Historical Society - Andrews Chapel Fund, PO Box 363, Thomaston, GA 30286, or to Thomaston Hospice Foundation, 512 South Center St., Thomaston, GA 30286.

Fletcher-Day Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements. Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.fletcherdayfuneralhome.com.