John W. McKinney Jr., age 76, 1076 Oakland Road, Telford, passed away January 7, 2013, at his home.

He was a lifelong resident of Washington County and son of the late John W. McKinney Sr. and Margaret Bennett-McKinney.

Mr. McKinney is survived by his wife of 42 years, Catherine Sue Belcher-McKinney; 2 Sons and wives, John Wesley McKinney III and Hannah Twana McKinney, Bart Isaac McKinney, M.D., and Laura Lynch McKinney; and 3 Granddaughters he dearly loved, Samantha Brook McKinney, Darcy Elizabeth McKinney, and Ashley Abigail McKinney, 2 sisters, Elizabeth Lance and Blanche Adams; 1 brother, James E. McKinney.

Mr. McKinney was a beloved educator in Washington Co. who served the county school system for many years. A Teacher at numerous schools, a Principal at South Central, Jonesborough Middle and David Crockett High School, and as the system Superintendent from 1984 to 1988.

Mr. McKinney was a man of great character, values, wisdom, integrity, and leadership that endeared him to friends, family, co-workers and employees though his years of service to the community of Washington Co. Any life he touched as a educator was enriched by his zeal for learning. He believed “every child is a promise” and this was a personal motto he carried for many years.

In his later years, Mr. McKinney, a biology teacher always at heart, dabbled in antique apple trees and grapevines. In an article in the Johnson City Press, Mr. McKinney was called the Johnny Appleseed of East Tennessee for having over 200 varieties of apple trees.

Mr. McKinney was a member of the Salem Presbyterian Church at Washington College Academy and will be laid to rest at the cemetery at the college. Pallbearers are Mr. Grant Rowland, Mr. Herman Tester, Mr. John Stafford, Mr. Larry Murphy, Mr. George Moody, Mr. Ralph Hensley, and Honorary Mr. Herb Armentrout.

The family will receive friends from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Thursday, January 10, 2013, at Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home.

Graveside committal services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 11, 2013, at Salem Presbyterian Church Cemetery at Washington College Academy.

In Lieu of flowers, Mr. McKinney before his death asked that donations be made to the Salem Presbyterian Church in his honor, Salem Presbyterian Church 147 Washington College Road Limestone, Tennessee 37681.

Memories and condolences may be shared at http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/JohnWMcKinney/homepage.aspx, http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/ or www.dillow-taylor.com.

Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Jonesborough, Tennessee 753-3821