Clark McKinney

Clark N. ("Nick") Age 67, of Big Flats, died on Saturday, December 13, 2003, at home, after an extended illness. He is survived by his wife, Martha; his mother, Deedie McKinney of Edinburg, TX; his children, Timothy and Beth McKinney of Ithaca, Jeffrey and Susan McKinney of South Carolina, Gregory and Clarena McKinney of Florida, Barry and Katharine McKinney of Westernville, NY, Bruce Herforth of Syracuse, Anna Herforth of Cambridge, MA; grandchildren, Hannah, Jacob, Rachel, Kaleigh and Brett McKinney. Nick was born in Yukon, OK, on May 19,1936. He attended six grade schools and five high schools in various states, graduating from Waverly (Ohio) High School, University of Cincinnati, and Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY. He served as student pastor in Mowrystown, OH. From 1961 until 1969 he was pastor for an area ministry in the Madison Valley Community Presbyterian Church, a parish covering 3700 square miles of high mountain valley in western Montana. Early in 1969 he was called to a ministry in the Watkins Glen and Moreland yoked parish, where he served as pastor until 1985. While in Watkins Glen, he volunteered as a teacher of psychology and sociology at the high school, and served in many capacities in the Presbytery of Geneva and the Synod of the Northeast. In 1986 Nick took a temporary position as project manager for fund-raising for Southern Tier Economic Growth, where he took an instrumental role in the planning and inception of the Mark Twain Drama at the Elmira College Domes. From 1987 until 1996, Nick was the Pastoral Care and Bereavement Coordinator of Southern Tier Hospice. Even after leaving the parish ministry, Nick continued actively serving the Church. In 1992 he served as interim pastor of his home church, the First Presbyterian Church of Elmira. Until his death, he was honored to serve there as Parish Associate, assisting the pastors in many capacities. In 2001 he also served as interim pastor at the First Presbyterian Church of Horseheads. For 15 years he did pulpit supply preaching at many churches within the Geneva Presbytery. Nick's love of flying was a constant thread through his life. He was a fine pilot and flight instructor, and instructor of instructors, and was an Aircraft and Powerplant mechanic as well. From 1996 until his retirement in 2001, he was head of the flight school and then manager of Elmira Corning Air Service. Nick was privileged to pilot rides in WWII aircraft for the National Warplane Museum. For 25 years he was active at Harris Hill Soaring Corporation, as instructor, tow pilot and maintenance supervisor. On the side, he had an aerial photography business. He did occasional work for Schweizer Aircraft. Barber Funeral Home of Horseheads has been entrusted with arrangements. There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on January 10, 2004, at the First Presbyterian Church of Elmira, Rev. Betsey Crimmins officiating. The family will provide flowers. Donations in Nick's memory may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church of Elmira, 1054 W. Clinton St. Elmira, NY 14905 or Southern Tier Hospice, 11751 East Corning Rd. Corning NY 14830, or a charity of one's choice.