VALLEY CENTER
McKenney, James W., 77, passed peacefully into the next world surrounded by family members on October 25, 2012. Dr. McKenney was born April 24, 1935 in Salem , Oregon to James D. and Thelma ( Anderson ) McKenney. He grew up in and around Salem earning a bachelors from Willamette University, along with masters and doctoral degrees from the University of Oregon. He married Mary K. Mealey in Sweet Home, Oregon on July 2, 1961. He began his career as a teacher and coach of elementary and middle-school students in Oregon. He and his family moved to the Valley Center area in 1967 when he accepted the position as professor of Political Science at Wichita State University. He served in multiple leadership and administrative positions such as Political Science Department Chair, Director of the Honors Program, and Director of the Taft Institute. He additionally served as the Lindquist Hall Building Coordinator from 1973-1978. He officially retired from Wichita State in 2007, however he continued his studies, teaching and interaction with his beloved students through the continuing education program. He was preceded in death by his father, James D., mother, Thelma, and step mother, Mary E. Survivors include his wife, Mary K.; sister, Sharon and her husband (Roland) Simantel of Wasco, Or.; brother Richard and his wife (Vona) McKenney of Eugene, sister Kathy and her husband Bela Kirchberger of Salem, Or; and sister Jane and her husband John Hyder of Salem, Or. Children and their families include: James R. of Grants Pass , OR; Alison (Mitch, Maeley, Mariah) McKenney Brown of Valley Center; Sean P. (Kristie, Christopher, Bailey, Kaleigh) of Honolulu, Hawaii; and Colin (Brenda, Megan, Braeden) of Valley Center. The funeral mass will take place at the Church of the Magdalen, 12626 E. 21st North in Wichita , at 10 a.m. on Monday, October 29. Inurnment will take place at Kechi Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the Valley Center Public Library Building Fund c/o the Friends of the Library, 321 W. First, Valley Center , KS 67147. Baker Funeral Home, Valley Center. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.bakerfhvc.com.