James Lee McKinley was born in Sutherland, NE on October 28, 1942 to James and Evadne Marsteller McKinley. He passed away on April 28, 2025 at Village Health Center in Missoula.
He was always “Lee” while growing up and still was to his family. He adopted “Jim” in later years.
His family moved to Stevensville from Nebraska in 1957 and purchased the Fort Owen Ranch. He graduated from Stevensville High School in 1960. He joined the Army National Guard after high school.
He married Pat Schaffer in 1977 and their family grew in 1979 when Michael James was added. They traveled the United States with Jim doing concrete finishing. But, the lure of western Montana was too strong and in 1981 they settled in Potomac where he earned a stellar reputation with McKinley Concrete.
In 2003, they traveled to Colorado Springs when he accepted a position as foreman of a large concrete company. In 2007, he and Pat retired to Stevensville.
He is survived by his son, Mike, and granddaughters, Destiny of Georgia and Faith Rose of Stevensville. He is also survived by his sister Patricia Martin of Helena, his brother Dave (Susan) of Stevensville, and his sister-in-law Mary (Tony) Hubbard of Polson and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Pat, and brother, John.
He was an active member of the Bitterrodders Car Club.
Memorial services will be on June 14 at 11 a.m. at Riverside Cemetery in Stevensville.