Randy Lee McKinney

Randy Lee McKinney, 60, of Nebo, NC died Sunday, April 10, 2016.  Born in Avery County, NC on June 6, 1955, he was the son of the late Dewey Lee McKinney and Faye Shirley Shook McKinney.  He was a member of Oak Hill United Methodist Church.

Randy started as a volunteer firefighter in 1976 with the Oak Hill Fire Department and served for over 30 years.  He was currently a volunteer firefighter in the West End Fire Department.  Mr. McKinney was one of the first certified EMTs in Burke County and obtained the certification of Paramedic in 1982.  He was employed by Burke County EMS, where he was promoted to the Director of EMS and Assistant Emergency Services Director.  He retired in 2008.  He owned and operated a consulting training business for emergency services.  Randy initiated and was involved in a number of training programs designed to enhance the level of pre-hospital care in Burke County.  He was a fire service instructor, EMS instructor, adjunct instructor for the National Fire Academy, and a FEMA instructor.  He was also nationally certified as a Type III Incident Commander, Planning Chief, and Operations Chief.  In addition to his formal education and training, Randy has served in numerous leadership roles.  He was involved in various aspects of training through community colleges across the state, both as a student and instructor.

Randy is survived by his wife, Peggy Sue Hall McKinney of the home; daughters, Kristi Whisenant-McKinney Byers, and Jill McKinney Speas and her husband, Trey, all of Morganton; a step-son, Charles Hall and his wife, Barbara, of Newton, NC; a step-daughter, Ashley Davis of Morganton; grandchildren, Trey, Gavin, Mackinsey, Noah, Waker, Dalton, Rylee, Trevor, and Robby; a brother, Donald Ray McKinney and his wife, Tina, of Morganton; sisters, Polly Benfield and Jackie Piercy, both of Morganton; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Randy was preceded in death by his first wife, Karen McKinney; and sisters, Janice McKinney and Carol Daniels.

The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at El Bethel Baptist Church.  A celebration of Randy’s life will follow in the church at 1 p.m. with the Rev. David Lawrence and the Rev. Ron Cooper officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Randy McKinney Foundation, 2332 Goodman Lake Road, Morganton, NC 28655.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.