Michael Eugene McKinney

Michael Eugene McKinney, 64 years young, residing in Bayse, VA., passed away on 19 November, 2020 in Van TX., from a heart attack. Michael was born in Galesburg, IL., on 28 November, 1955 to Frank C. McKinney and Betty J. Newell (nee Krisher).

After graduating from Bayside High School in Virginia Beach, Michael joined the United States Army in November 1975. He served honorably for four years as an Aircraft Mechanic assigned to the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command at Fort Monroe, VA. While in the Army he was promoted to E5/Sergeant in 1978 after completing the NCO Leadership course and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and the Marksmanship Badge. As a fixed wing aircraft mechanic working on the Army’s U-8D Seminole and the U21 UTE, his love for putting together model planes and helicopters blossomed and continued until his passing. After his military service ended in Nov 1979, he purchased his first home in Virginia Beach and started work for the Naval Shipyard. Afterwards, he moved on to other career adventures to include a sales manager for Snap-On tools until he found his next passion and became a truck driver. Michael spent the next several years driving trucks all across our nation culminating in his final 15 years with DART as an owner-operator. He passed away doing what he loved as one of our country’s coveted front-line workers, never taking a break for himself during the pandemic. Since his military career he always gave more than what he had and put others before himself. He will be greatly missed by the loved ones he leaves behind.

To honor his memory, please join his family, which includes his wife Joanne of 29 years, two step-sons, Stephen Winsor and his daughter Ambre-Lee, Joey Winsor (Taryn) and their children Klyer and Alayna; his mother Betty, two nieces, Julie Campion and her son Ezra, and Megan McLawhorn (Carlton) and their children, Alyssa, Rylee, Mackenzie, and Liam at the memorial service. Michael joins his father Frank and his sister Terri to watch over us while we hold his memory in our hearts.