James McMinimee

James McMinimee of Outlook passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 21, 2024 at his second home in Eddyville, Kentucky. Regardless of if you knew him as Jim or Jimmy, you knew a man who was impossible to forget.

Jim was born on December 5, 1947, to John and Mary McMinimee of Outlook. He graduated from Sunnyside High School in 1966, and recently enjoyed a mini-high school reunion with his classmates. It was during high school that Jimmy developed his enduring passion for vehicles, fixing up and selling cars as well as racing motorcycles. Jim never stopped having project vehicles and enjoyed showing off his 1939 pickup at Bob’s Drive-In shortly before his passing.

In 1968, Jimmy was called up to serve in Vietnam with the 737th Transportation Company, one of the very few Army Reserve Units that served in-country and was exclusively comprised of young enlisted men from the Yakima Valley. While Jim did not like to talk about his service, he very much treasured the bonds that he formed driving 5,000-gallon tankers with his best friends, including his motorcycle racing partner and life-long friend Melvin Luther.

After returning home, Jimmy was a truck driver for the rest of his life. He met the love of his life and wife of forty years Jinny after he spotted her riding her horse while on a delivery run. Jim and Jinny married in 1974 and ran a trucking business together until Jinny’s passing in 2014. Jimmy craftily set up his close friend Mike Moore with Jinny’s sister, ensuring that he would always have someone to trade stories with at family events.

After losing his friends TJ and Gary Schilperoort in 1991, Jim became active in competitive antique tractor pulling with one of their tractors. It was through this hobby that he and Jinny found their second home in Kentucky and met many dear friends, including Mark and Dianne Valentine who became family to them.

Jim passed away on his back porch in Kentucky after telling his daughter the day before that if he was going to die, he wanted to pass away in his sleep in the exact chair he was found in. He left nothing on the table, having an incredibly full life filled with love and laughter. Jimmy would tell you to really live your life, take the trip, have the adventure, do the thing, leave nothing unsaid. And of course, tell the story.

Jim would also tell you that he had two daughters (Sarah Eacker and Shannon McMinimee) and a nephew that he loved like a son (Steve McMinimee). He is survived by them along with Sarah’s husband Brent; his grandchildren Allison and Isaac Eacker; his and Jinny’s siblings; his nieces, nephews, and their families; and his cousins and their families, as well as many dear friends. In addition to his beloved Jinny, Jim was preceded in death by Shannon’s husband Ted Hansen.

Jimmy never wanted to have a funeral or a memorial service. Sticking with his wishes, his daughters will hold a barbecue at the house in Outlook in the summer. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Yakima County Fire District 5’s Outlook Station 12 (PO Box 447, Zillah WA 98953), whose members Jim would tell you have always been the best neighbors anyone could have.

Those wishing to sign Jim’s online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com 

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