Earl LeRoy McKinney, 82, formerly of rural South Haven and Wellington, died Tuesday, December 23, 2008, in Canyon, TX. He had lived in Canyon for the past four years, with the last three years being at the Canyon Health Care Nursing Home.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, December 27, 2008, at 2:00 P.M. at Frank Funeral Home. Pastor Danny Ginn will officiate. Burial will follow the service at Rose Hill Cemetery at South Haven, KS.

Earl was born February 9, 1926, near Drummond, Major County, OK, to Fay Vernon McKinney and Mary Ann Evelyn (Smith) McKinney. He was the eldest of their three children. He lived on this homestead until he was 16, being raised by his grandmother, Nancy May Smith.

Earl served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, entering March 11, 1943, shortly after his 17th birthday. He'd been living in Mayfield, KS, with his grand mother Nancy's niece and family, the T. J. and Nellie Roberts family. He wanted to join the Navy, and since he was under age, the Civil Court appointed his commander as his guardian, so he could join. He served in Guadalcanal with the Amphibians on a PT 15, patrol torpedo boat. He was honorably discharged February 18, 1946, as a Motor Machinist's Mate Third Class. He had earned the following honors: Point System, Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and the Philippine Liberation Campaign Ribbon.

After his discharge the government forced him to work on the section crew for the railroad, building the Enid railroad yards. Earl, without a high school diploma, took a college entrance exam at Winfield, KS, so he could become a railroad engineer. He retired from the Santa Fe Railroad November 20, 1983, after 36 years of service.

He married Wynona Mae Crumley August 29, 1947, in Sebastian County, AR. To this union three sons were born: Duane, David and Douglas.

Earl was also a wheat farmer, and he owned and trained Quarter horses. He was a past President of the Kansas American Quarter Horse Association and served as a judge many times. He enjoyed training, riding and participating on his cutting horses.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Wynona in 2005; his parents and grandmother; and his sister, Edna May Spoonemore.

Survivors include his sons, Duane and Cathy McKinney of Canyon, TX, Dave and Linda McKinney of Saint George, KS, Douglas and Elaine McKinney of Blackwell, OK; sister, Gladys and Les Oliver of Tulsa, OK; 14 grandchildren, Heather Holladay, Shannon Braudway, Andy King, Matt McKinney, Autumn McKinney, Leslie Fenner, Leland McKinney, Layton McKinney, Bret McKinney, Amanda Cadwell, Amy Smith, Shannon Dark, Jasen Smith and Brady Smith; 29 great-grandchildren and special friend Sheryl Carroll of rural South Haven, KS.

A memorial has been established with the Alzheimer's Association. Contributions can be left at the funeral home.

Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday, December 26, 2008 from 1:00 – 9:00 P.M.

Frank Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.