James Randall Mckinnish, Phd.

Bartow- James Randall McKinnish, PhD (Dr. Jim as he preferred to be called) passed through the heavenly gates into the arms of our Lord on April 6, 2023, at the grand age of 84. Jim was born in Lakeland, FL on December 23, 1938, son of Randall Green McKinnish and Ethel Pippin of Sebring, FL. From an early age Jim loved sports, the outdoors, and cowboy movies. After living in several towns, Dr. Jim came to live with his aunt and uncle in Fort Meade, FL where he would live more than 50 years of his life. After moving to Daytona Beach as a child, Dr. Jim accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior and was baptized as a member of the First Baptist Church of Daytona Beach, where his membership remained. His decisions after this point were based off his desire to please the Lord. As a young boy, Jim was selected to represent the Safety Patrol District as Captain with a trip to Washington DC. There they visited the headquarters of the FBI, the Capitol building, and several other places. However, his favorite memory of this trip was riding Hopalong Cassidy’s horse named “Topper.” After moving around for several years with his parents in Georgia and Florida, Jim settled in Fort Meade living with his Aunt Cleo and Uncle Donald Brown. Dr. Jim attended Fort Meade Senior High School from 1954-1957 where he played football, baseball, and ran track. During his football career, he played linebacker, guard, and center. He received the “most popular” award and was elected to the elite All Ridge Conference Team of 1956. Dr. Jim also discussed his baseball career with the New York Yankees. After graduation with jobs in the area being scarce, Dr. Jim and his friend JW Burt decided to join the United States Navy in April of 1958 during the Vietnam War. Dr. Jim received his training in San Diego as a communications specialist achieving the rank of RM2 P2 speed key. Dr. Jim had been stationed throughout the Caribbean area during 1961 – 1962, including participating in the US blockade of Soviet missiles during the Cuban missile crisis of 1962. He was also stationed at the NASP in Jacksonville, FL assigned to the flight tower for over one year. After being honorarily discharged in July 1962, Dr. Jim returned to Fort Meade and opened a used car business with JW Burt as his partner. Romance took over, and Dr. Jim married Donna Ruth Mosson on November 8th, 1963, and moved to Bartow, FL. Donna’s daughter, Merry Dawn Mosson, was later adopted on February 26, 1969. Dr. Jim took advantage of the GI Bill education benefits and entered Polk Community College in Winter Haven, FL in 1966. Dr. Jim enrolled and graduated from the University of Claims Adjustment School in 1968. Then Dr. Jim and Donna had their first baby boy, Todd Randall and decided to move to Fort Meade to be closer to work. The auto business was good but deciding to enter the finance world, Dr. Jim sold out his business interest and accepted employment with American Credit, employed as manager of the Fort Meade office for four years. While continuing his education at Polk College, Dr. Jim accepted employment in 1971 with the First State Bank of Fort Meade as assistant cashier. During this time, he also began his experience with ranching and owning cattle. Dr. Jim was delighted to welcome a baby girl, Betsy Nicole (Nikki). Shortly after, he welcomed another son, James Eric (Ricky), for a total of four children. With three years of study at the School of Banking of the South located at LSU New Orleans, LA, Dr. Jim graduated in 1979. While continuing his studies at Polk College during these years, Dr. Jim invested in the cattle business and home investments with his family. Wanting to achieve more Dr. Jim attained his real estate license in 1987 to use after retirement. At the same time, He and Donna agreed to acquire a divorce. In 1989, Dr. Jim met his soon-to-be second wife, Cindy Martin from Bartow, and they married on October 27, 1990, enjoying a honeymoon trip to St Augustine. Their marriage was blessed with joy, happiness, and contentment for almost 23 years when Cindy was called home to be with Jesus. Dr. Jim was again blessed with a precious baby girl in 1994, Jayme Delaynade (DeeDee). This made Dr. Jim the father of five children, all of whom he loved and tried to raise with a love for the Lord. Meanwhile continuing with his college education at the Southwest University in Louisiana, Dr. Jim graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1990. Wanting to continue with his education, he decided to stay with the same university, achieving his Master's in Business Administration with a focus on Finance in August of 1997. He very proudly earned his Doctorate in Business Administration in December 2000. Dr. Jim retired from SunTrust bank as Vice President in 1999 after 29 years, with the bank going through many name changes. After retirement, Jim went on to work for several real estate firms in Lakeland and Winter Haven for a couple of years. Soon after, Dr. Jim acquired his mortgage broker license and opened a mortgage brokerage business in Lakeland, FL under the name Mortgage Express of Central Florida. He sold this business three years later due to an uncertain economy. Dr. Jim continued to stay in the rental and real estate business purchasing, selling, and remodeling homes for resale. He stayed active in this until the very end. One of Dr. Jim’s greatest achievements was being the founder and ten-year president of the Fort Meade Historical Society. A lot of hard work, many hours, and lots of volunteers made this happen. It brought him joy knowing future generations would enjoy the schoolhouse and train cars acquired by the Historical Society. As he took serious interest in his community, Dr. Jim was a member of many associations over the years: The Masonic Lodge #160 for 50 years; the VFW Fort Meade; American Legion of Bartow; Historical Society Life Member; Fort Meade Chamber of Commerce; Salvation Army; Help Fort Meade; Fort Meade Medical Board; Lions Club of Fort Meade; Cattleman Association; Winter Haven Board of Realtors; Little League Baseball Coach; National Rifle Association; Scottish Rites; and several more. Dr. Jim attended the First Baptist Church Bartow for over 30 years. He also had several other business endeavors. Dr. Jim enjoyed his spare time being outdoors among his cattle with the obvious tranquility and even working on the ranch. He was a deep thinker with an obvious passion for education and history, along with being an enthusiastic person when it came to sports of all sorts and his watching of cowboy movies. He enjoyed collecting various antiques. Dr. Jim was a man of great character and high morals. He never met a stranger and treated everyone as his friend, always giving a person the benefit of doubt. He will be dearly missed! In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Cleo Helms, his second wife, Cindy Martin, his first wife, Donna Mosson, and father-in-law, Buddy Martin. He is survived by his five wonderful children: Merry Hostetler and husband Harry, Todd, Betsy (Nikki), James Eric (Ricky) and wife Nikki, Jayme (DeeDee); grandchildren: Paris, Logan, and Shelby; mother-in-law Wilma Martin, sister-in-law Kathy Nooe, brother-in-law Eddie Martin and wife Lauri, and numerous, yet loved nieces and nephews. (He also leaves behind the most precious pups, Buck, Winnie, and Rex. They will miss chewing on his hats and slurping up his cereal milk each morning.) Dr. Jim lived the philosophy of giving generously of one’s time, talents, and treasures. Because of this, he left wishes that any who wanted to donate in his honor and memory, send it to First Baptist Church Bartow. Dr. Jim's life will be remembered and celebrated with a visitation on Tuesday, April 11th from 5-7 pm and a service at First Baptist Church Bartow on Wednesday, April 12th at 10 am, with graveside to follow.