Vester A. McKinney

Vester A. McKinney Mac was born on November 5, 1928 in Morrilton, AR, and passed away on September 12, 2007 at the age of 78 years old. Vester was preceded in death by his parents Ophelia Farley McKinney and Dozier McKinney; brother, Cleodis McKinney; daughter, Patricia McKinney; and niece Deborah Hill.

He proudly served for 22-1/2 years in the U.S. Army and retired as a Master Sergeant. He served in Vietnam and had two tours of duty in Korea. Mac had treasured memories of being a member in several military bands. He served as a musician, drum major and band director. Much of his time was spent touring Italy where he learned to speak the language fluently.

After he retired from the military, he worked for the US Government at Kelly AFB as a software specialist, which included computer programming. He wrote several programs that are still being used today by the Air Force. His colleagues remember him as being witty, caring, a strong leader and a hard worker ~ he was always the first one to arrive and last to leave.

MUSIC was Vester's life! He had a jazz band and attended the Berkley School of Music in Boston, MA. Vester taught middle school students and gave private lessons for a variety of instruments, mainly in the woodwind and brass families. His passion for music spilled over in the repair area. He repaired all types of instruments including violins. Vester was known for surprising his student's with a free instrument when they could not afford one of their own.

Mac also played with some of the major jazz musicians such as Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz and other well known musicians.

His other hobbies included reading, cooking and fishing. He read everything and loved studying the Bible. Mac loved to cook! There were no "small" meals in the McKinney household when he cooked. Mac cooked enough for an army. He wrote several cookbooks that will be published in the near future.

Mac loved to help people including strangers. His family always knew they may be late because he would always stop to repair the vehicles of people abandoned on the side of the road.

Vester's family and friends will miss him dearly! He was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Tracey McKinney; sons Milton McKinney and Patrick McKinney; daughters Gloria McKinney and Nanette McKinney; sister Helen West; grandchildren Anjelica Martinez, April Valles, Christine McKinney, Toyika Sloan, Tonya McKinney, Milton McKinney, Jr., Tonette McKinney, Patrick McKinney, Kim Yates, Adrienne McKinney, Lakesha McKinney; sixteen 16 great-grandchildren; nieces Edith Barnes and Rose Bell; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 22, 2007 at 11:00 am, Porter Loring Mortuary McCullough.

In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to the American Cancer Society, 8115 Datapoint Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229.