The Legacy

James Ishom McKinnon was born on December 25, 1942, to the late Vernon and Dallas McKinnon in Lumberton, North Carolina. James left Lumberton in his early teen years to live in New York. He later came to Florida where he met Laura Mae Waldron. After a three (3) month courtship, James and Laura were married. To this union three (3) children were born, and 1 child adopted.

James wore many hats and could fix and make anything. James loved to plant and grow fruit trees and vegetables. He would give them to family and friends. One of his accomplishments has to be that he has the tallest mango tree in Polk County, Florida!

James worked for the Lakeland Department of Sanitation, Florida Tile, Monier Life Tile, Florida’s Natural Growers, and Pinkerton’s Security. He was an avid landscaper to which he had many clients.

On December 26, 2024, he entered eternal rest. He was preceded in death by his daughter: Margaret Laura Ann McKinnon

He leaves to cherish his memory, Laura, his loving wife of 61 years, two sons, Sir Francis McKinnon (Patricia) and Christopher McKinnon (Satoko), daughters: Dallas McKinnon (Fiancée, Robert), Teresa Richardson and (Goddaughter) Constance Mitchell; sisters: Fannie Greene of Brooklyn, New York, Doris Hodges and Betty Greene of Lumberton, North Carolina and one brother Levern McKinnon (Kathy) of Lakeland, Florida; sister-in-law, Peggy Earle (Landlin), ten (10) grandchildren, six (6) great-grandchildren, two (2) great-great grandchildren, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, former coworkers, and friends.