By Staff
NEWPORT NEWS, VA. — Linwood Wayne McKinney, 74, passed away on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at Riverside Regional Medical Center. He was a native of Hyde County, N.C. and had been a resident of Newport News for 53 years.
After earning a B.S. degree in mathematics from East Carolina University at Greenville, N.C. in 1957, he began his career as a researcher at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, which later became the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). During his early career at Langley Research Center in Hampton, he conducted wind tunnel tests of advanced aircraft models and later served as an Assistant Division Chief. He also served as a manager of aeronautical test facilities at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. During his 38 year career, he made numerous contributions to the field of aeronautical research. Mr. McKinney was a member of First United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Linwood and Nellie J. McKinney.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Betty M. McKinney; two daughters, Laura M. Jones and husband, Michael, and Susan M. Fitzpatrick and husband, Dennis; three grandchildren, Meghan, Molly and Andrew Jones; sister, LaRue M. Brinson and husband, Emmitt; two brothers, Jimmy D. McKinney and wife, Linda, and Ronnie A. McKinney and wife, Mary; two nieces; and five nephews.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, April 1, 2010 at Peninsula Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, April 2, also at the funeral home with burial to follow in Parklawn Memorial Park.
Peninsula Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Paid Obituary