Mr Jim McKinley

Jim McKinley, 67, a native of Gilroy and a resident of Madera for over 40 years passed away on Saturday, October 19, 2019, surrounded by his family. In his youth Jim spent time in Gilroy and Hollister and other Santa Clara Valley cities, he graduated from Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill. Jim lived in Moss Landing for a time and eventually settled in the Central Valley. He had a career with PG & E that spanned 42 years, retiring as a sub-foreman. In his leisure time, Jim was a true outdoorsman enjoying hunting and fishing. He was a member of “Ducks Unlimited” and a member of Friends of Madera F.F.A. Jim was a 4-H leader in Madera and earned the nickname “Chicken Jim” for his help in the Poultry program. He also assisted in the 4-H Sheep Program.

In addition to his parents William and Ida McKinley, Jim was preceded in death by his first wife Candace “Candy” McKinley in 2011.

Jim is survived by his wife Shelly Trittler of Madera, his children; Lisa Killon and her husband Vance of Madera, Casandra Johnson and her husband Eric of Virginia, Nikole Method and her husband David of Gilroy, his stepchildren, Melissa Shaw and her husband Dustin of Madera, Aubray Joneson and her husband Ryan of Clovis, his siblings, Reggie McKinley and his wife Lou of Washington, David McKinley and his wife Debbie of Prather, and Leona Cornelison and her husband Burrel of Auburn. Called “Papa” by everyone he was best known as “Papa” to his 11 grandchildren soon to be 12.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Arbor Vitae Cemetery in Madera.

Remembrances may be made in Jim’s name to: The Candy McKinley Memorial Fund, Wells Fargo Bank, 201 E. Yosemite Avenue, Madera, CA. 93637 Acct# 7167636674. The memorial fund was established for student scholarships.