George Collingwood McKinney

George Collingwood McKinney (March 2, 1931 - May 8, 2026)

George Collingwood McKinney died peacefully at home with his wife, Mickey, by his side on Friday morning May 8, 2026.

He was born in New York City, the son of the late Dr. John McDowell McKinney Ill and the late Mary Collingwood Tucker McKinney Laubenfels. He was predeceased by his half-brother, Dr. Alexander Stuart McKinney.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Michelle "Mickey" Nothacker McKinney, four daughters, Kimberly Ritchie, Bonnie Stevens (Bob), Laurie Weitzel (Bob), and Christy Maurer (Scott), nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

George spent his early years in Scarsdale, NY before entering Salisbury Preparatory School in Salisbury, CT in 1944. While there, he received many scholastic awards, presided over numerous organizations, was on the ski team, and was coxswain on crew. He was voted Head Prefect by his peers. George received the highest grades in the graduating class of 1949 and was awarded a scholarship to Yale University.

After graduation, George and a fellow classmate were offered free passage to Europe on a Greek freighter. With their Whizzer motor bikes and $200.00 apiece, they spent the summer touring France and England.

Returning to the States, George began his freshman year at Yale. He and a fellow student reactivated the Yale Flying Club where he learned to fly in a little Piper Cub. Over the next four years, as he worked toward his degree in Industrial Management, George also earned his commercial pilot's license, his instrument rating, and his instructor's license.

Upon graduating in 1953, George took a job with North American Aviation in California where he worked on aspects of the F-86H fighter jet.

In 1954, George was accepted as a cadet in the Air Force. He completed the initial phase of cadet training at Bainbridge, GA, where he graduated first in aviation, academic, and military training. He went on to the U.S.A.F. Pre-Flight School at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX, then to multi-engine school at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, OK where he again graduated with honors. George was assigned to a select crew in the Strategic Air Command and flew B-47s out of Pinecastle Air Force Base in Florida.

While on leave in 1956, he visited his mother in California and met the love of his life,

Mickey Nothacker, on a blind date just three days before she was due to return to Niagara Falls, NY where she was a teacher. They courted by mail, writing daily letters to each other until their marriage on December 29, 1956.

Completing his time in the Air Force in November 1957, George took a job with IBM in Washington, D.C. where his four girls were born over the next 6 years. George also joined the West Virginia Air National Guard and flew the F-86H that he had helped design.

In 1965, IBM transferred George to Atlanta, GA to work on the Southern Railroad account. George earned his sales position in the 100 percent club for 9 years in a row due to his dedication to his clients and his integrity as an honest salesman. In 1970, George left IBM to start his own company, Aviation Technology, but the economy took a downturn, and he was unable to secure the venture capital needed. He took a job as Director of Data Processing for Interfinancial Data Systems, and, on the side, opened a dealership to sell single engine Bellanca airplanes. He often flew for pleasure around the country with Mickey and the children.

While in Atlanta, George indulged his passion for music by singing with the Georgia Opera

Company, and in concerts at various events. In 1984, George took a position with SperryUnysis which required a move to Pennsylvania. George sang with the Orpheus Club in Philadelphia, gave concerts at the Philadelphia Academy of Music, and sang at all four daughters' weddings between 1984 and 1988.

Upon retiring in 1993, George and Mickey moved to Stoney Creek at Wintergreen in Nellysford, VA where he enjoyed playing golf and skiing. With Dr. Arnold Popkin as his accompanist, George gave concerts at Oak Ridge to raise money for Habitat for Humanity and gave the first in-home concert to raise money for Wintergreen Performing Arts. For 10 years, he brought artists to Nelson County Schools with funding through the Board of

Supervisors and Wintergreen Performing Arts. He also continued to fly, first in his Cessna 172 out of a grass strip in Nellysford and then in a Bonanza J-6 out of Charlottesville. In 2008, the FAA presented George with the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award for over 50 years of proficient flying.

The last 8 years of George's life were disrupted by a stroke that left him wheelchair-bound, but he dealt with his handicap with grace. He passed away at home on May 8th surrounded by family with Mickey holding his hand. 

A celebration of life will be held July 26th at the McKinney home.

 George had a soft heart for animals and requested that donations be made to any of the following local animal organizations: Blue Ridge Canine Safe House at brcsafehouse.com, Hopeful Hounds at hopefulhounds.net, or Nelson SPCA at nelsonspca.org.

Arrangements by Wells/Sheffield Funeral Chapel, Lovingston (434-263-4097).