Kenneth Wayne McKim

Kenneth Wayne McKim, 78, went to his heavenly home August 9th, 2025. He died suddenly of a heart event after returning from a beautiful, inspirational Greek islands cruise.

Kenneth was born on April 15th, 1947, in Nacogdoches, Texas to loving, supportive parents: Major Miller and Helen Maxine McKim. He had one sister, Linda Alice Leathers of Richland Hills, Texas, who survives him.

Kenneth grew up in Paris, Texas, where his dad owned a trucking company. He credited his dad with many things, but especially, that he taught him to work. He was sweeping the trucking docks at 12 and graduated to hostling trailers on the yard and then learned the office work. He drove huge trucks with multiple trailers as he worked for major carriers in his career. After driving more than a million miles in every kind of weather, he retired from Yellow Freight Lines in 2004. While tarping a large eighteen-wheel type trailer, he fell and suffered injuries to his ankles, but people seldom knew it. The pain did not keep him from fulfilling his responsibilities.

Kenneth was somewhat a Paris local hero as he was a stand-out basketball player, football player and an accomplished water skier. Boating, ski competitions and ski shows filled the summers of his teen years. He was in the Century Club of the American Water Ski Association for jumping over a hundred feet when that was exceptional. As a member of the Paris Boat and Ski Club, he helped maintain the slalom course, ski jump, docks, boat ramps and all. He barefooted, flew the kite behind the boat (not a Delta wing) and performed a doubles act with the girl who was to become his wife, Julie. As they skied, she would climb to his shoulders and do stunts as he kept them stable as the boat ran its course. Cypress Gardens wanted to hire him, but he declined.

Kenneth graduated from Paris High School and attended East Texas A&M and Dallas Baptist University. He taught at a Dallas elementary school for a time. Kenneth married Julie in 1966. When her family moved to Paris and began spending summers at the lake, he wanted to meet her. As an expert skier, he frequently would ski up to shore and walk out of his skis. Wanting to impress, he tripped. He would say that he fell head over heels for her.

As God added children to their home, Kenneth developed a conviction that he should have as many children as God would send and rear them to glorify God.

His 13 children are:

1. Melisa (Wayne) Loudermilch, Cashiers, NC

2. Melody (Winston) Walls, Terrell, TX

3. Ken McKim, Highlands, NC

4. Keith (Kirsten) McKim, Highlands, NC

5. Mindy (Edward) McKim, Pecan Gap, TX

6. Molly McKim, Highlands, NC

7. Kyle (Caroline) McKim, Highlands, NC

8. Meg (Adam) Blocker, Pinehurst, NC & Liberty Hill, TX

9. Millie (Stephen) Schlautman, Fairhope, AL

10. Kade (Rynelle) McKim, Fairhope, AL & Hollywood, FL

11. Kirk (Anita) McKim, Asheville, NC

12. Kase (Lauren) McKim, Chattanooga, TN

13. Klayt (Zoya) McKim, Lilburn, GA

His 38 Grandchildren are:

Madeline (Shayne), Marianna (Jonathon), Wyatt (Shelby), Warren, Westin, Webster, Walker, Welden, Melody Michelle, Austin (Gabrielle), Alyssa, Brittany, Byron (Robyn), Carolee, Deanna, Colson, Elias, Jelehna, Aniah, Briella, Barrett, Harrison, Hudson, Jude, Kate, Stephen, Morena, Aravis, Lael, Elora, Islay, Rhia, Kasey, Esther, Ava, Zahra and Zyrah. Proceeded in death by Joanna Grace.

His 5 Great Grands are:

Winslow, Shiloh, Maevry, Rustin and Jerica.

In 1985, although their children were excelling academically and in sports, Kenneth felt convicted to homeschool his children. Kenneth taught the Bible and oversaw other subjects. At about the same time, Kenneth and Julie established a non-profit ministry, Family Heritage. Through seminars, the goal was to educate and encourage parents to build lives and relationships on Biblical principles. Kenneth took on the great responsibility of innumerable logistics in transporting his entire family around the world as invitations came pouring in. They went to every state in the U.S., most provinces in Canada and other countries. He was a keynote speaker at many statewide homeschool conventions. Kenneth’s focus was to motivate fathers to love and lead their families and he encouraged other family members to use their gifts. He loved for his family to sing together so this occurred at most speaking engagements.

They conducted seminars on Building Good Character and Maturity in Children, Time and Home Management, Needs of a Husband and Wife, Passing on a Godly Heritage, and more.

In the 90’s, he was asked to speak at the National Conference on the Family at 2nd Baptist Church in Houston.

In 1992, the U.S. Congress declared him to be an educational ambassador to Russia. He had numerous opportunities to impact the Russian people here and abroad.

Kenneth was privileged to meet and join in ministry with many movers and shakers in the Christian world.

He was a member of Community Bible Church. In cooperation with CBC, he and Julie founded a Market in Cullowhee, NC. For 3 ½ years, they trucked in 10,000 lbs. of food and supplies each week to meet needs for Western NC residents.

Kenneth was active in the Republican Party in NC.

Kenneth’s heart’s desire was to please God and invest himself in others.

His family is grateful for his life and blessed by his legacy.

In lieu of flowers:

Community Bible Church will receive donations in Kenneth McKim’s memory.3645 Cashiers Road, Highlands, NC https://www.cbchighlands.com/give

The Mailbox Club was one of Kenneth’s favorite ministries and they will receive donations as well.

The Mailbox Club440 Eager Road, Valdosta, GA 31602www.mailboxclub.org

Online condolences can be left at www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the McKim family.