Eric Michael McKinney

Eric was born on August 1, 1975 in Austin, Texas to Margaret Fleming McKinney and Michael George McKinney. Eric spent his childhood years in Austin and Victoria. He attended Hyde Park Baptist Elementary School, Deerpark Middle School and Westwood High School where he was active in the band as a trombone player, the Latin Club, and the school newspaper. He majored in journalism at the University of Texas and prepared for a career in the computer industry. Among other jobs, Eric worked as a system administrator for both Origins and NC Soft, computer gaming companies.

Eric was a voracious reader who enjoyed all kinds of books. He had an incredible memory and could recall almost anything he had ever read which meant he was impossible to beat at Trivial Pursuit, Jeopardy, or Wheel of Fortune. He especially enjoyed the humor section of local bookstores. Eric had a sharp wit and a highly developed sense of humor. He could make people laugh even in difficult times. It seems like just yesterday that an eight-year old Eric was reading his family a Dave Barry book and laughing so hard he could hardly keep reading. He also loved all kinds of music including classical, rock and roll, reggae, jazz, funk, and blues. At one time, he was a member of the Austin-based band, Brown Whornet and he even played one year at SXSW.

Eric began his interest in computers in middle school when he was given one of the original Apple IIe home computers, which he still owned. He taught himself to write computer programs and enjoyed “inventing” all kinds of uses for his home computer. He continued his interest in computer information technology spending several years providing computer network support at work and unlimited computer assistance to family and friends.

If given the chance, Eric would have been a wonderful father. He loved all children and because of his unlimited patience, he could always make them smile. Reading books to young children was one of his favorite activities even as a child himself. One of our favorite last memories of Eric was watching him read “Maisy Goes Camping” to an 18-month old visitor who had crawled onto Eric’s hospital bed with the book.

Eric is survived by his mother Margaret, his father Mike, his sister, Sarah Kathryn McKinney, his grandparents, Grace and Jack Fleming, all of Austin, his aunt Catherine McKinney of Houston, his aunt and uncle, Barbara and John Fleming and cousins Ginger Ressel, Brian Roulstone, and Joanna and Kathrine Fleming of Florida. Eric was predeceased by his grandparents, Kay and George McKinney and his aunt Mimi McKinney, all of Austin.

A memorial service will be held at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 8134 Mesa Drive, Austin, at 4:30 PM, Friday, March 11, 2011.

The family is grateful to Hospice Austin for their help and support through Eric’s illness.

In lieu of flowers Eric’s family is requesting that donations be made to Hospice Austin or to the libraries of Casey Elementary School, 9400 Texas Oak Drive, Austin, Texas 78748, or Burnet Middle School, 8401 Hathaway Dr, Austin, Texas 78757 where his sister and mother are teachers. Children’s books will be purchased in Eric’s name by these schools in honor of his love of books and children.