James McKinney

James Ivan McKinney, 60, died unexpectedly, December 17th, 2025, in Pampa, TX.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, December 27, 2025, at the Christian Community Church of Pampa, with Rick Pearson, officiating. A private family inurnment will be held prior to the service. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory.

He was born on January 12, 1965, in Tryon, North Carolina to James A and Ruth Ann McKinney. He attended Pampa High School. He worked for many years in the food industry and for the last 15 years was a delivery driver for Pizza Hut in Pampa. He enjoyed delivering pizza, especially to his regular customers because of the interaction with people.

His greatest passion, besides his grandkids and family, was his music. He was a very talented guitarist. He could play anything by ear. He first taught himself to play by stealing his older sister’s Ted Nugent albums and learning each song exactly. He later took lessons from Tarpley Music store and was a student of Branson, Missouri’s Mike McAdoo while Mike was living in Pampa. He loved cooking, most notably, his homemade chicken and dumplings. But he loved embarrassing his kids by singing and falling in Wal-Mart almost as much. He loved children and they loved him immediately when they met him.

He was preceded in death by his parents of Pampa, TX; and brother, Robin McCracken of Connelly Springs, North Carolina.

Survivors include his daughters, Ashton McKinney, Lauren McKinney Visciano and husband Jacob, all of Odessa, TX; son, Colton McKinney of Kentucky; sisters, Suzanne Presson and husband Kim, and Sandra McKinney; brother, Stephen McKinney and wife Denise, all of Pampa, TX; grandchildren, Maeson Visciano, Keagan Visciano, and Paisley Visciano, along with Skylynn Cooper, and Kash Cooper, all of Odessa, TX; along with numerous nieces and nephews, both by blood and James’ choice.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to the First Baptist Church of Pampa’s prison ministry, 203 N. West St., Pampa, TX 79065.