Col. John Bradley McKinney

John Bradley McKinney, Col., US Army Signal Corps, Ret., 95, died October 9 2013 at Allen Morgan Health & Rehabilitation Center. He was born May 16, 1918, in Jacksonville, Florida. Col. McKinney grew up on a farm in the Berclair area of Memphis and graduated from Nicholas Blackwell High School in Bartlett. John attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville; received his law degree from the Southern College of Law in Memphis; his master’s degree in Business Administration from Harvard University and a master’s degree in International Affairs from George Washington University. Col. McKinney’s 27 years of military service spanned three wars – World War II, Korea and Vietnam. During World War II he served in General McArthur’s Signal Headquarters and coordinated General McArthur’s communication from the USS Missouri on V-J Day. After his military service, Col. McKinney was employed by ITT World Communications for 14 years. He retired from ITT in 1983 as President and CEO. During his hears with ITT, he and his wife traveled to 69 countries. He was preceded in death by his mother, Alice Katherine Larsen Bartz, his stepfather, John Bartz and his beloved wife of 62 years, Marsha Bonds McKinney. He is survived locally by cousin, Millie Minton and her family; devoted friends Barbara Plyler and her son, Bailey Plyler. A memorial service, interment and military honors will be at the West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery beginning at 11AM on Friday, October 18, 2013. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Wounded Warrior Project or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be offered at www.memphisfuneralhome.net.