James Donald “Don” McKinney, age 84, of Southern Pines, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at his home with his wife by his side.
Don was born in Cliffside, NC on September 11, 1941, to the late James and Sue McKinney.
He is survived by his wife, Anne Hocutt; children Mark (wife Kimberly) and David (wife Jodi) and several grandchildren; niece, Sarah Hocutt Benson and family; and nephew John Hocutt and family.
Don received a BA in Psychology from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1963, an MA in School Psychology from NC State University in 1966, and a Ph.D. in Psychology from NC State University in 1969.
Following his education, he was privileged to work as an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Rhode Island from 1969 to 1971 and Assistant/Associate Professor of Education and Senior Investigator, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Center at UNC-Chapel Hill from 1971 to 1989. During his tenure at Chapel Hill he also served as Director of the Research Training Program (1974-1985) and the Head of Learning Disabilities Research (1982-1989). He ended his career as Professor of Education, Departments of (1) Teaching and Learning and (2) Educational and Psychological Studies, School of Education, University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, from 1989-2009.
During his career, Don was awarded multiple research grants and contracts from the Division of Research and Development, NC Department of Public Instruction; US Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services; and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), especially the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. He delivered papers at multiple professional meetings held by the Learning Disabilities Association of America, Council for Exceptional Children, and the American Education Research Association. Additionally, he edited books and wrote chapters in edited books, wrote data-based research articles in professional journals, and also wrote stand-alone monographs on selected issues. He served on editorial boards of national publications and on peer review panels at the US Department of Education. He had over 1400 non-duplicated citations in the Science and Social Science Indexes.
In addition to his family and career, he loved traveling abroad, taking 20 trips to many European countries and Russia. He always went to World War II memorials and cemeteries. At home, he loved sailing on the Neuse River, the Inland Waterway, and Biscayne Bay in Florida. He also loved living in North Carolina again after years in Florida and was a huge fan of Carolina and NC State basketball, watching a game at every chance. He enjoyed walking his beloved golden retriever Roxy in Weymouth Woods. He and Anne had five golden retrievers during their marriage and considered themselves dog parents.
Due to family issues, his Memorial Service will be scheduled some time in mid- to late March at Penick Village. When set, the date will be announced in this obituary.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to the Penick Village Foundation, Inc., 500 E. Rhode Island Avenue, Southern Pines, NC 28387.
Condolences may be sent to www.coxmemorialfuneralhome.com.
The family has entrusted services to Cox Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory of Vass.
