Don Vernon Mckinney, Sr.

Don Vernon McKinney, Sr., 90, died at ETMC Hospital in Tyler, TX on December 4, 2016. He was born in Medina, TX on February 17, 1926 to Minta and Clyde McKinney, who have preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his wife of over 66 years, June, and a son, Don V. McKinney, Jr., along with two brothers, Raymond McKinney and William McKinney.
He served in the Navy during WWII as an electrician on board a submarine in the Asian Pacific. Being only 17 when he enlisted, the time he served during the war, surely made a difference in how he lived the rest of his life. Don worked for 37 years for Shell Oil Refinery and Chemical Complex in Deer Park, TX where he was in charge of warehousing and materials management. Upon his retirement, he and June moved to Buffalo, TX where they started their next career of ranching. The last couple of years, his job seemed to involve supervising everyone on the ranch as to how they should be doing things! He was a long time member of the Stewart Memorial United Methodist Church.
Don (Curly, Mac, Pap) will be remembered as a good man, great father and playful, caring GrandPap whose word was his bond. His love, friendship and council will be missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by one daughter, Sharon McKinney and her partner, Karrie Sinkavich and one son, Willian (Sandy) McKinney and wife, Sharon McKinney of Pinehurst, TX. He had four grandchildren, Jason McKinney, Heather Raddick, Travis McKinney and Kimberle McKinney, as well as, eight great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or any charity of choice.
Funeral services will be held at 10 A.M., Saturday, December 10, 2016 at the Stewart Memorial Methodist Church in Buffalo, TX. Rev. Ralph Hale, pastor of the church, will officiate. Visitation will be on the same day from 9 A.M. to 10 A.M. at the church. Interment will be held at 2:30 P.M. at Brookside Memorial Park Cemetery in Houston, TX.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jason McKinney, Bill Frison, Kimberle McKinney, Rick Taylor, Norman Coalson & Chana Cox.
Walters Buffalo Funeral Home in Buffalo, TX is in charge of all arrangements.