Jack E. McKinney

CWO3 Jack E. McKinney is a member of the “Greatest Generation.” He enlisted in the US Navy in August 1935, and served in the US Navy for over 22 years. While in the Navy he served in WWII and the Korean War. Jack was born in Tucumcari, New Mexico on November 2nd, 1917. He married his wife, the former Erma Husk, in September 1938, to whom he was married for 68 years.

Jack was stationed at Pearl Harbor, aboard the USS Indianapolis, when the bombing of Pearl Harbor took place on December 7th, 1941. The Indianapolis left Pearl Harbor on December 6th, 1941, one day prior to the bombing, to undertake a mission in the south Pacific. The ship returned one week later to assist in the rescue effort of the Pacific Fleet.

Jack served aboard nine ships and received 13 Awards and Decorations during his Navy career. He retired from the Navy on December 1st, 1958.

After his retirement from the Navy, Jack was employed by the State of California as an engineer, specializing in steam boiler and pressurized vessels. He worked for the State of California for 20 years after which he retired and worked as a private engineering consultant.

Jack and Erma relocated to Las Vegas in 1997 and lived here until his death on December 14th, 2012, at the age of 95. Jack was an avid golfer his entire life and played golf until six months prior to his death. While residing in Las Vegas, Jack was active in the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), where he served on the board of directors for more than five years. Jack was a lifelong member of the Retired Officers Association (TROA) for 45 years. Additionally, he was a member of the Navy League and the US and National Veterans Foundation.

Jack was a loving, caring, and generous husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He is survived by his two sons: William (Bill) McKinney, who resides in Corvallis, Oregon with his wife Sharon; and James (Jim) McKinney, who resides in Arroyo Grande, California with his wife Darleen. Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Erma, who passed away on June 29th, 2006. He is survived by two grandsons, one granddaughter, four great grandsons and one great granddaughter.

Jack will be moved to the National Memorial Cemetery at Riverside, California for a family Memorial Service and Interment.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Palms Mortuary at 7400 West Cheyenne Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada, at 10:30 A.M. on January 5th, 2013.