Mendell D. McKinney, Jr.
Mendell D. McKinney, Jr., 66, of Charlotte, N.C., went home to be with his Heavenly Father on August 8, 2006, following a two year battle with cancer. He graduated from Jefferson-Morgan High School class of 1958, and received a degree in aeronautics from the Pittsbrugh Institute of Aeronautics. Mendell began his career with American Airlines in New York City. In 1964, Mendell went to work for Allegheny Airlines (US AirWays) at the Greater Pittsburgh International Airport as a mechanic. He worked his way up the ladder during his 35 years of service to the company, and retired as a manager of maintenance at the company’s Charlotte Douglas International Airport location in 2000. After retiring from US Airways, Mendell worked for both Legend Airlines, Dallas, Texas and Alaska Airlines, Seattle, Wash., in similar capacities. He retired from the aeronautics industry in 2002. Not content to be idle, Mendell accepted a position with Dale Jarrett Ford in Charlotte, and worked part time as a facility manager until his illness forced him to permanently retire in 2005.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Jerri, and his mother, Sara are a daughter, Colleen Blum and her husband, Scott and their sons, Brian and Adam of Raleigh, N.C.; and a son, David McKinney and his wife, Lyn and their sons, Michael and Andrew of Chicago, Ill.; and numerous family and friends.
A celebration of Mandell’s life will take place at 2 p.m., Sunday, August 13, 2006, in the First Church of the Nazarene, Waynesburg, with the Rev. John M. Poling, officiating.
The family will greet friends and family after the service in the church basement for a dinner.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Behm Funeral Homes Inc., 1477 Jefferson Road, Jefferson, Gregory P. Rohanna, supervisor