Thomas "Tommy" McKinney, Jr.

Thomas "Tommy" Edward McKinney, Jr.

West Unions,SC  –     Thomas “Tommy” Edward McKinney, Jr., 67, loving husband of 47 years to Shirley Anne Robinett McKinney, entered into his eternal rest Friday afternoon, April 22, 2016 at Oconee Memorial Hospital.  Funeral services will be held at 4:00 P.M. Monday afternoon, April 25, 2016 in the Rocky Knoll Baptist Church with Rev. J. Scott McKinney and Rev. Dexter James officiating. Interment will be at 2:00 P.M., Tuesday afternoon, April 26, 2016 at Wrens Memorial Gardens.

A native of Waynesboro, GA, Tommy was the son of Doris Graves McKinney Lehn and the late Thomas Edward McKinney Sr. After graduating Waynesboro High School, he obtained his BS in Business Administration from Valdosta State College. Upon graduation, Tommy returned to Waynesboro to work for his father and uncle in their hardware business, McKinney Wholesale.  After the company was sold, he moved to Tifton GA where he worked for the John Deere dealership selling farm equipment. Tommy then moved back to Waynesboro, continuing to sell John Deere equipment at Blanchard Equipment. In 1980, he moved his family to Swainsboro GA to buy and sell construction, logging and farming equipment as owner of East State Equipment Co. In 2009, he continued pursuing his passion for selling heavy equipment in West Union SC.  Having a strong work ethic, which he passed along to his children, he was well-respected in the industry for his hard-work, dedication and honesty.  In life, he did not let his health issues hold him back.

An outdoorsman, he loved to hunt and fish and to experience new things to soothe his adventurous spirit.  He was known to take the long way home just to experience a drive down a road he had never traveled. A people-person, he never met a stranger and people were drawn to his larger-than-life personality.

Tommy loved his Lord and Savior and served him as a past member of the Waynesboro First Baptist Church, past member of the Swainsboro First Baptist Church, past member of Hawhammock Baptist Church, and as a member of Rocky Knoll Baptist Church where he served as a deacon.  Tommy will also be remembered for being instrumental in the organization of the Rocky Knoll Jeep & Truck Ministry. His heart belonged to his family who he loved unconditionally and his greatest pleasure was having family get-togethers and being in their presence.

Death leaves a void that no one can fill; but loves leaves us memories that no one can steal.  Tommy will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him; but now he has taken the road to his eternal home in Glory.

Other survivors include his children, Jason Scott McKinney (Christa) of Cookeville TN (formerly of Wrens GA) and Ronda Anne McKinney Bauknight (Douglas) of Buford GA; a sister, Beverly McKinney Fuller (Harry) of Augusta GA; five grandchildren, Taylor McKinney, Sam McKinney, Laura-Grace McKinney, Brittany Bauknight and Brian Bauknight; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to the Rocky Knoll Jeep & Truck Ministry, PO Box 1100, Walhalla SC  29691.

The family will receive friends from 3:00-4:00 P.M., prior to the service, on Monday afternoon, April 25, 2016 at Rocky Knoll Baptist Church and Tuesday afternoon, April 26, 2016, after the interment at Wrens Memorial Gardens.

Davenport Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements in South Carolina with James Funeral Home handling the arrangements in Georgia.