McKean, James

James McKean was born July 25, 1941, to Evelyn and Allen McKean in Marion, Iowa and passed away July 17, 2012, in Texas.

James attended Marion Schools where he excelled scholastically as well as athletically. He graduated with honors and earned an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and graduated in 1963 with an engineering degree.

James qualified for fighter pilot and was sent to Luke Air Force base in Lubbock, Texas, where he received training with the F100 Super Sabre Jet and graduated with honors. While in pilot training in Lubbock, he met a co-ed and Miss Playmate of Texas Tech and they were married, a “hot shot fly boy” with a new Corvette and a “BIG” ego and a hot blonde West Texas “sweet talking” co-ed. Sounds like something out of a Tom Cruise movie?!

James was assigned for duty in England upon completion of training and then assigned to the Vietnam crisis. In Vietnam, he flew 204 missions over the Ho Chi Minh Trail (usually 100 and you're stateside) and was credited with saving a lot of U.S. lives. He never lost a plane but had several shot up pretty bad, James did a lot of napalm delivery.

Upon completion of his military obligations, James was offered a job with Continental Airlines (who preferred fighter pilots) which he took and worked for until his retirement at age 60. He bought some Russian MiGs from Bulgaria on a great deal, flew a couple for a while and then sold them for a fair profit.

James was also involved and excelled in boat racing for about 40 years until his death. His son, Sean was weaned on hydroplane racing and went on to capture many “kilo” records as well as national titles. Sean almost perished racing at the 2000 National Races in Depue, Ill., when he “blew over” at about 130 mph.

James also had a boat dealership in Dallas, where he sold Baja muscle boats as well as exported Ranger bass boats to Japan. He was also a partner with his brother, John in Texas Hydro Sports (a boat and PWC dealership) on Cedar Creek Lake for about 22 years, until John bought him out in 2006.

James is survived by his wife, Tana; his son, Sean; Sean's wife, Lorraine; grandson, Chase; and brother, John and wife Judy.

Published in The Gazette Aug. 8, 2012.