James Walter McCartney

James Walter McCartney, 90, took the hand of Jesus and breathed his first breath in Heaven, Friday, April 26, 2019, following a brief illness at North Kansas City Hospice House, North Kansas City, Missouri.

Jimmie was born June 6, 1928, in Kansas City, Kansas. He was the son of the late Thurston and Mary (Gray) McCartney. Preceding him in death are his siblings, brother George McCartney and sister Mary Vietti; one daughter, Shelly (Racheal) McCartney; and two great grandchildren, Wells Walter and Annie Katherine Irving.

It was December 20, 1975 when Jimmie and Margie McCartney, founders of Gospel Center Ministries, held their first service in a leased theatre building in Kansas City, Missouri. With 710 seats from the old Kansas City Royals baseball stadium at 22nd and Brooklyn, a little paint, some hard work and a lot of prayer, it was time to see what dreams were made of. On opening night the talented Art Pemberton joined Jimmie on center stage. That debut introduced to Kansas City a singing ministry that was the first of its kind. It was more than just good musicians and singers. It was people who had talent on loan from God and weren’t afraid to make Him known.

Being an accomplished musician as well as a singer-songwriter, it seemed only right to do what came naturally. And what came naturally to Pastor McCartney was to take a guitar in his hands and sing. He had an easy way with people. Whether playing in front of thousands or simply having a cup of coffee with one, he was the same man. And the audience sensed that. They trusted him. He made everyone feel connected. You see, Jimmie had a gift from God. He sang to people, not at them. When he spoke, it was the same way.

Perhaps this is the reason God has used him for so many years. Perhaps this is why so many people were genuinely saved during those early days of music ministry. In fact, on opening night, God validated His promise to Margie when her mother, Willie Noel, was gloriously saved. She was the first soul won for Christ in Gospel Center Ministries and everyone knew it was the start of something very special. Soon, well known groups such as the Blackwood Brothers Quartet, The Hemphills, and The Dixie Melody Boys would come and minister in song. With the additional support of four McCartney siblings as well as other talented singers and musicians, Gospel Center Ministries was well on its way.

Jimmie was singing for Jesus now, but that wasn’t always the case. Jimmie grew up hard. It was the middle of the great depression and life was tough. In 1945, at seventeen he lied about his age, joined the Marines and did a tour of duty during World War Two. After his discharge, and several odd jobs later, he bought a guitar for $25 from Sam’s Pawn on Minnesota Avenue. Although he had occasionally picked around on a guitar he never really played. The year was 1948. The times were changing and Jimmie was about to discover a whole new life.

He had a real knack with the guitar and could sing as well. So he entered some local talent shows. His was personable and well liked. Every contest he entered, he won. In one of those shows he was discovered by a man named Dan Harless. Dan had a band called the Trailblazers which was well known in the local area. Within a short time Jimmie was a regular. The ride with the Trailblazers lasted five glorious years, but that was only the beginning.

Jimmie soon outgrew the Trailblazers and in 1955 formed his own country and western band called the Midwesterners. At one time he had the top rated band in Kansas City. It was so good in fact that big stars would come into town and play with them in their local shows. Stars like George Jones, Little Jimmie Dickens, Marty Robbins, Mel Tillis, Buck Owens, Lester Flatt and Earl Scrubs as well as the great Patsy Cline to name a few. This stardom led Jimmie to play with the talented Cowboy Coupas at the coveted Grand Ole Opry show and live radio at the famous Earnest Tubbs record shop in Nashville, Tennessee.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent to the Gospel Center Outreach Ministries, 5800 NW 58th Terr. Kansas City, MO 64151 or through www.Outreacheducation.org