Herbert "Herb" McKinley

Born to Herbert and Bess McKinley on August 31, 1920 in Corsicana, Texas, Herb and his younger brother, Leroy, had a well traveled childhood living in El Paso, Temple, Abbott, Winnsboro, South Oak Cliff, Electra and Waco, Texas.

Herb excelled in football, playing for the Temple Wildcats in two championship seasons during his high school years. He had many fond memories of that time speaking often of the friends and coaches who took a special interest in his life.

After graduation from Temple High School, he proudly served in the Navy during World War II as a medical corpsman in the Heberdes Islands and New Zealand. Herb married Ruth Mints in Lamesa, Texas and they had their only child, Judy, in Williamsburg, Virginia in 1945. Ruth preceded him in death in 1962.

Herb married Dorothy King in 1966 and with that marriage came two teenagers, Guy King and Ferrell King.

From his early years Herb worked a variety of jobs, including: a baker, driving a Coca-Cola Truck, TXU electric lineman, and even working on his first wife’s family farm for a short time.

His primary vocation before retirement was a draftsman for Pure Oil, Superior Oil and Sun Oil Companies.

His love of painting was the reason for his early retirement, so he could pursue his art full time. His love for drawing began when he was in grade school and although he had no formal training in art, he became an acclaimed wildlife artist and received many awards for his art in Texas and New Mexico. Herb was honored when asked to paint a Hill Country wildflower and nature landscape painting for President Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson.

Herb was a dedicated husband, a wonderful father and super fun Paw Paw!! He was kind, gentle and loved life to its fullest. He was always smiling and so thoughtful of everyone, with a pat on the back or a hug to all. He entered bits of humor and laughter into all situations in which he found himself, always finding the best in everyone he came across. His laugh was robust and contagious, with always a knee slap. His humor and gentle spirit will be remembered and missed by all.

His hobbies were many, including hunting for Indian artifacts, reading novels and poetry, listening to all kinds of music, and bird watching. Herb had an enormous love for all of God’s creatures (which was reflected in his paintings). He loved to sketch caricatures of everyone, including himself. He often laughed hardest at his own self portraits.

Herb was preceded in death by his brother, Leroy in 1991, and his son, Guy King in 2010. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; daughter, Judy and husband Mike Moffett; daughter Ferrell and husband Pat Powell; and daughter-in-law, Janine King. Granddaughters Carrie Powell, Courtney and husband Aaron Cox, and Jennifer King. Grandson, Jerry King. Great grandchildren include: Savannah and Foster Cox and Sierra King. He is also survived by his niece Dorrie McKinley; nephew Jamie McKinley and Jamie’s sons Chris, Matt and Josh of Atlanta, Georgia.

Visitation with the family will be held on Tuesday, February 12th from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. Funeral services will be on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 1:00pm. Both will be held at Ellis Funeral Home with funeral services to be officiated by Dr. Bob Hines of Greenwood Baptist Church, with burial to follow at Resthaven Memorial Gardens. Honorary pallbearers include: Mike Moffett, Pat Powell, Chris McKinley, Aaron Cox, Phillip King and Bill Boyd. Online condolences can be made to www.ellisfunerals.com.