Ralph John McKinney

WEAVERVILLE—Ralph John McKinney, age 86, of 31 Green Ridge Rd., died Sunday, June 3, 2012, at John F. Keever, Jr., Solace Center. Ralph was born July 25, 1925, in Madison County and was a resident of Buncombe County for most of his life, living the last 59 years in Weaverville. He was a US Army Veteran serving during World War II. He was a lifelong farmer and avid hunter and fisherman. Mr. McKinney was preceded in death by his parents, Robert L. and Minnie Thomas McKinney; brother, Carlie McKinney, and sister, Irene Cody, both of Madison County. Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Barbara Tomberlin McKinney; son, Randy McKinney and wife Sherri of Weaverville; daughter, Linda Boone and husband Terry of Pele City, Ala.; brothers, Clyde and Boyd McKinney of Mars Hill; sisters, Alma Marlowe of Fairview and Alene Jamerson of Weaverville; grandsons, Jason Boone, Jeremy Boone, and Tyler McKinney; and great granddaughter, Eliana Boone. His funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, June 7, 2012, in the Chapel of West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville, with Rev. Jerry Jamerson officiating. Burial will be in Little Ivy Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. At other times the family will be at the residence. Flowers are acceptable and appreciated or memorials may be made to CarePartners Foundation, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mr. McKinney's obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.