Charles E. "Mack" McKone (Tulia)

-Tulia, Texas-Charles E. “Mack” McKone, 95, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 5, 2022. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, in the First Presbyterian Church at 2:00 PM with Mr. Kent Hayhurst officiating. Arrangements are under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors of Tulia, Texas.

A visitation will be held on Monday, March 7, 2022, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Kornerstone Funeral Directors.

Charles was born on November 25, 1926, in Swisher County to George and Mary (Dietrich) McKone. He grew up working on the family farm driving tractors. In 1945, he graduated from Tulia High School. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp. in 1946 and was honorably discharged in February 1949. He married Jessie Hayhurst on October 1, 1965, in Tulia, where they made their home and raised their family.

He logged over 4 million miles in the United States as a truck driver for 45 years working for Taylor & Evans, Haliburton, Diamond Shamrock, Groendyke Transport. Charles was hired as one of the first group of drivers when Walmart Distribution Center opened in Plainview, Texas in 1986. During his Walmart years, he received numerous safe driving awards. After he retired from Walmart in 1991, he continued to drive for his brother-in-law at Wes’ Specialty Service until one day he walked in and handed the keys to Wes and said, “I am 85 and I’m done!” His CB radio handle was “Flop-Eared Mule” and was called “Mack” by his wife and his grandchildren.

Charles was a devoted volunteer for Meals on Wheels, a board member of Tulia Senior Citizen’s Center, a member of the Selective Service Board, and served as a Grand Juror for Hale & Swisher counties for many years. He was a lifetime member of VFW and the American Legion performing in the rifle corps, folded flags for many veterans, and assisted in cooking breakfast and briskets for sale in the community. One of his fondest memories in his later years was traveling to Washington, D.C. in September 2011 on the Texas Panhandle Honor Flight. Charles served in various capacities and was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church of Tulia. He loved his Lord, his family, his country, the Texas Rangers, Texas Longhorns, and the Dallas Cowboys.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Jessie, his son, Robert McKone; his brothers, G.W. McKone and Buck McKone; his sisters, Mae Brown and Nettie Johnson.

He is survived by his daughters, Gayla Pool and husband David of Plainview and Becky Byrd and husband Rick of Amarillo, his brother-in-law, Wesley Hayhurst, and wife Jo Ann of Tulia, his sister-in-law, Bettye McKone of Tulia; his grandchildren, Amy Bryant and husband Johnathan of Plainview, Jarod Pool and wife Crystal of Juneau, Alaska, Reagan Byrd and wife Sarah of Amarillo and Ryan Byrd of Madisonville, TX.; his great-grandchildren, Mallory Washington and husband Anthony, Courtney Watson and Fiancé Ethan Hastey, Taylee Watson, Davyn Bryant, Luna Pool, and Liam Pool; his great, great-granddaughters, Adelynn and Aspyn Washington and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 113 N Donley Ave, Tulia, TX 79088, or the Amarillo Children’s Home, 3400 Bowie St, Amarillo, TX 79109.

Online condolences can be made at www.kornerstonefunerals.com