WHEELING – For former U.S. Rep. David B. McKinley of Wheeling, an allegiance to a political party never came before an allegiance to West Virginia and her sons and daughters. That served him well for more than four decades in public life — a life that focused on finding ways to always put others first.

McKinley died Friday at his home in Wheeling following a brief illness. He was 79.

A seventh-generation West Virginian, McKinley devoted his life to his state as an engineer, a builder and a legislator, both at the state and federal levels. McKinley was one of only a handful of engineers to serve in Congress, and he always touted that more engineers and their mindsets were needed to make Washington work effectively.

His willingness to work across party lines was one of his best traits.

Former U.S. senator and West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin knew McKinley for more than four decades. Manchin said he first met McKinley after Manchin won election to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1982.

McKinley, a Republican, was the first person to befriend the Democrat Manchin following his election. Manchin said McKinley showed him the ropes in Charleston, forming a bond that would stand the test of time — and politics.

“David was so passionate about West Virginia and its people,” Manchin said. “Every issue he studied, every discussion he had, it was all about how to make government work better for the citizens. A true engineer, he spent so much time studying and analyzing every issue that came up. I tried to match him but as I told him, you wear me out. What I quickly realized is that I wanted to follow his lead.”

After serving together in the state House, McKinley and Manchin both then ran for their party’s gubernatorial nomination in 1996. Manchin recalled that the two of them agreed, if they met in the general election, to have a strong, fair race that showed the voters the best of West Virginia.

Their paths diverged slightly after that 1996 election, merging again when Manchin and McKinley both joined Congress — McKinley in the House, Manchin in the Senate — following the 2010 election.

“David sat on Energy and Commerce in the House, and I chaired Energy and Natural Resources in the Senate, so we spent so much time talking on issues and how they impacted West Virginia,” Manchin recalled. “David was always on his game — in fact, he was always ahead of the curve when it came to the most important issues.

“Every single West Virginian needs to hear this — we were so well represented by David McKinley in the House of Representatives. That’s an indisputable fact. I was so proud to endorse him and do everything I could for him, because he always did the right thing. That’s so rare today.

“Our state will miss him, I’ll miss him, and I’m just so thankful that he took the time to come up to me all those years ago in Charleston and extend his friendship. That will always mean the world to me.”

A lifelong Wheeling resident, McKinley attended Purdue University, earning a degree in civil engineering. This led him to work as an engineer locally for 12 years before starting his own firm, McKinley and Associates.

The firm grew and was involved in nearly $3 billion in construction value. Among its projects was the restoration of Wheeling’s historic West Virginia Independence Hall and construction of local school facilities and many other projects.

“Dave meant a great deal to Wheeling,” said Wheeling Mayor Denny Magruder. “His family has an early history here. He was also an excellent businessman in town.

“Politically, he was a middle of the road guy. He wanted what was right. I got to know him personally over the years and he was a really good man.”

When you had the opportunity to sit down with him and talk about the issues, McKinley “always had time to let you know how he felt about things,” according to Magruder.

“He will be greatly missed,” Magruder added. “He was a great congressman and a really great person.”

McKinley also helped secure important projects around the region — both during his time in Charleston and then in Washington.

“Congressman McKinley was a pillar in our community and in West Virginia,” said Josh Jefferson, president and CEO of the Regional Economic Development Partnership. “He left a tremendous legacy not only as an elected official, but as a business owner.

“It’s a sad day. We’ve lost a partner. He was a true Mountaineer, and it is a real loss. His legacy will live on through the impact he has had on the community.”

McKinley first ran for office in 1980, seeking a House of Delegates seat representing Ohio County. One of his primary opponents was now-U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey.

They both came up short in the primary, with McKinley later being appointed by then-Gov. Arch Moore to fill the seat’s unexpired term.

McKinley would go on to win the House seat in the 1982 election by 2 votes, with Bailey representing McKinley during the recount. The two would become close friends.

Bailey noted it was McKinley’s principled viewpoint in always doing what was best for his constituents that stands out most. He added those ideals are rare indeed in today’s political arena.

“David McKinley was one of the most principled men I’ve ever known,” Bailey said. “His sole consideration was what was best for the people of West Virginia. He did not consider political party or his re-election chances when it came to his vote, which, of course, played a role in his final election bid to Congress.

“I had spoken to him numerous times since that election, and he said he would not have changed his vote at all — even if it had meant securing his seat. He voted how he did because it was the right thing to do for the people of his state.”

Bailey added he and McKinley “kept each other grounded” as they grew in their professional careers.

“We had really good times together. And we kept each other in check. Everyone needs someone like that,” he said.

After his tenure in the House of Delegates, McKinley would go on to chair the West Virginia Republican Party from 1990-94.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Congressman McKinley,” said current West Virginia Republican Party Chairman Josh Holstein. “Congressman McKinley dedicated his life to serving West Virginia. He was a friend and mentor to many of the officials serving our state today, and his legacy of leadership and commitment to our people will not be forgotten.

“The West Virginia Republican Party extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him.”

Following his bid to become West Virginia’s governor, McKinley in 2010 would run for the District 1 U.S. House seat. He went on to serve six total terms in the House — winning re-election with more than 62% of the vote each cycle.

That changed in 2022, as redistricting altered the district’s makeup.

While a member of the U.S. House, McKinley served on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, as well as its subcommittees on Energy and Power, Environment and Climate Change, Oversight and Investigations.

During his tenure he spoke strongly on the importance of keeping the nation’s coal-fired power plants open, and the importance of clean coal research and also practical uses of coal ash.

“David McKinley was a fighter,” said U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. “Not only did David fight for his principles and the causes he believed in, but he also fought hardest for his cherished West Virginia. As a proud West Virginian, he espoused the values that are so embedded in our state.

“His dedication and commitment to our coal miners was second to none, and as the only licensed engineer in Congress during his time in the House of Representatives, he brought thorough analysis to the legislative process. He was also a dedicated WVU football fan –never missing a chance to cheer them on. My heart goes out to his devoted wife Mary and his family in sympathy for their loss and in gratitude for his decades of public service and friendship.”

Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., noted the state “lost a great man” on Friday.

“I was around David a lot when I was governor, and I’ll say just this — he was a great man that cared a whole lot about our state,” Justice said.

“Cathy and I are heartbroken and praying hard for his family, his friends, and all of West Virginia tonight. We’ve lost a good one.”

“David was a good friend and a wonderful congressman, and prior to that state delegate, that always put his constituents first,” added U.S. District Judge Frederick P. Stamp Jr. “It’s been an honor to know and work with him, and I’m saddened for his family. This is a great loss for our community.”

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey also released a statement Friday memorializing McKinley.

“Denise and I were saddened to learn of the passing of former Congressman David McKinley,” Morrisey said. “David devoted decades of his life to public service, representing West Virginia in the House of Delegates, leading the state Republican Party, and serving our people in the United States Congress.

“He cared deeply about West Virginia and worked tirelessly to advance our state, strengthen our economy, and improve the lives of the people he served. His commitment to public service and to the Mountain State leaves a lasting legacy. We extend our prayers and deepest condolences to his wife Mary, his children, and the entire McKinley family during this difficult time.”

McKinley is survived by his wife of 45 years, Mary Gerkin McKinley, a retired critical care nurse; his four children, David H. McKinley, Elizabeth (James) Boyle, Amy McKinley, and Bennett (Katy) McKinley; and his grandchildren, Jackson M. Boyle, David J. McKinley, Thomas H. Boyle, Maxwell B. McKinley, Anne M. McKinley, and Louis B. McKinley, who knew and loved him as “PaPa.”