Timothy Ray (Tim) McKinney

Timothy Ray McKinney , age 52, of Bowling Green, Kentucky entered into rest Sunday, September 20 at 6:30 a.m. after a courageous battle with cancer. 

He is survived by his wife, Kathy McCutchen McKinney; his parents Juanita "Cookie" Coyle (George) and Ray McKinney (Shirley); a sister, Phyllis McKinney Halcomb; a step brother, Ben Warren; a nephew, Philip McKinney; a niece, McKenzi Halcomb and two great nieces, Mattie and Tori McKinney. He leaves behind several aunts, uncles, cousins and a multitude of friends who will miss him and his humor and wit on a daily basis. 

Tim lived a courageous life overcoming many challenges and obstacles ( an amputated arm, hodgkins lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple surgeries) that would have crushed a lesser person's spirit. Instead, he used these challenges to show others how to live life to the fullest and to make the most of each moment. He faced each obstacle with grace and humor with humor being his most potent weapon. This attitude and his perseverance led to his participation in baseball, football, basketball and softball as a child. Sports in general became one of his passions from an early age and anyone who ever saw him pitch or field never forgot. His passion for sports led him to his love for the New York Jets, Tennessee Vols, Cincinnati Reds and Fantasy Football. As an adult, this background led him to become involved in coaching travel softball with Southern Kentucky Thunder and eventually his position as an assistant coach with the Warren East Lady Raiders who filled his last year with wonderful memories as they won district and regional titles on their way to the state. 

Tim's fascination with entertainment, comedy, music and sports led him to work for the Hilltopper Broadcasting Company (The Gator 107.1) as a co-host of the Max and Tim Morning Show and to work for ESPN radio as co-host of Redlegs Radio Report and Fantasy Football Friday until his health issues intervened. He loved making people laugh and never met a stranger. Radio allowed him to share his sense of humor with the residents of Bowling Green. 

Tim's experiences as a patient at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Kosair Children's Hospital and Vanderbilt greatly influenced his decision to raise money for these organizations and help people understand that these hospitals perform miracles every day. A multitude of friends on social media have described the impact that Tim made on their lives with his humor, compassion, and optimism. This is truly indicative of the number of lives he touched. 

Funeral is at 1:00 p.m. Saturday at J.C. Kirby & Son Lovers Lane Chapel with cremation to follow. Visitation is from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. Friday and from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday at the funeral chapel. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or "Hats for Tim" C/O Redlegs Radio Report, 1823 McIntosh, Suite #107, Bowling Green, Ky 42104.

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