Joel Dean McKinney

Joel Dean McKinney, 70, passed away Monday, April 22, 2024.  He was a kind and gentle man of quiet strength, a man of grace and integrity.   Joel was a wonderful husband, father, son, brother, and uncle.  Married to the former Sandra Hilbert for over 51 years, they shared a life of love through good and bad times, devoted to one another until death parted them.

Before retiring, Joel worked for Shoun Trucking and spent most of his career in the trucking industry.  He traveled all over the Continental United States and Canada, delivering the goods that we all take for granted to be on the shelves where we shop.

A 1971 graduate of Boones Creek High School, Joel was a member of the Golf Team, President of the Key Club and received the superlative as “Best Looking Guy” in his class.  

Joel loved nothing better than hanging out by the cleanest pool in Boones Creek, hosting family and friends and making everyone feel welcome.  He loved animals, especially his faithful friend of 15 years, Jack, a wire-haired terrier.  Joel loved the water, especially the beaches of South Carolina and the lakes of East Tennessee.  He and Sandra really enjoyed their 30^th Wedding Anniversary with a memorable trip to Hawaii.  Joel loved UT football, Kentucky Basketball, professional golf, NASCAR racing where he enjoyed numerous outings to Bristol with his close friends.  Joel was fiercely independent, and he loved the freedom of the open road in his truck, and on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle.   He always remembered an amazing trip that he took with his life-long friend, Tommy Lowe, to Sturgis, South Dakota in 2001.

Mr. McKinney is preceded in death by his parents, Harlow and Anna Ruth McKinney and his brother Mike and his son, Joshua McKinney.   Joel leaves behind his wife, Sandra, and daughter, Sarah McKinney.  Other survivors include: Sister-in Law, Debbie Beard (Mike) and brothers-in-law David and Chris Hilbert; Nephews: James McKinney, Dennis McKinney (Denise); Nieces Kelley McKinney, Melanie Rogers (Glen) and Shannon Nelson (Andy); Grandnephews: Hayden and Logan Rogers, Drew Nelson and Connor McKinney; Grandnieces Emily McKinney, Reilly McKinney, Morgan Rogers and Emily Nelson.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, May 2, 2024, from 5:00pm until 7:00pm at Morris-Baker Funeral Home, with a Memorial Service beginning at 7:00pm.

Donations to your local animal shelter of choice in Memory of Joel McKinney are appreciated by his family.

Memories and condolences may be shared via www.morrisbaker.com

Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2001 E. Oakland Ave., Johnson City, is honored to serve the family of Mr. McKinney.