James Earl McKinney Jr. was born to Josephine and James Earl McKinney Sr. on March 31, 1963. He spent most of his childhood in Detroit, Michigan. At 22 he moved to Washington. Throughout his adult life, he was proud of the work he did at Atlas foundries and Kenworth but he was most proud of the people in his life that made life worth living and his daughter. He loved to tell stores of his life, the people he has met and the shenanigans he continually got himself into.

James departed this life on Thursday, March 16, 2023. He was loved by many and will be greatly missed. James leaves behind, to reflect and cherish his memories, his daughter and son-in-law, mother, sisters, brother, nieces, nephews and all of the friends he has made a long the way.