Donald "Donnie" Earl McKinney (Plainview)

Donnie McKinney entered into the arms Jesus on December 20, 2021.  Donnie was born September 25, 1944 in Plainview, TX. He was the second born son of Cloyd and Marie McKinney. Growing up, he was raised in and around Hale Center on different farms. Donnie was very fortunate to be raised in a strong Christian home. His whole family attended Happy Union Baptist church and it’s where he came to know the Lord at the age of seven. Growing up on the farm, he enjoyed being outside, riding horses, and being ornery.  He joined the US Army after high  school and was in the 25th Infantry Division, 3rd Brigade, Tropic Lightening. He completed basic trained at Ft. Polk and jungle training in Hawaii. From there he was deployed for his tour of duty in Vietnam as an infantry grenadier. He survived many engagements with enemy and two months in a hospital with malaria.  Even though his was on the other side of the world, his heart was always back home with his family.  He was diligent about writing home to them, especially to his Mama.  He always sent a good portion of his pay back home to his mother to make sure that she and his siblings were taken care of. He was a very proud veteran. Upon his discharge, he returned home and went to work at Lee Sausage company as a route man along with his brother Brac. He always reflected back to it being his favorite job he ever had. Donnie had a great love of music. This love resulted in him joining a band in which he sang and played the bass guitar.  His love of music led him to meet the love of his life. Donnie was playing music at the American Legion and met Patricia Ray. The two fell in love, and married four short weeks later. Donnie and Pat had two children, Heath and Heather.   He worked various route sales/supervisor jobs that included Coca-Cola, Bell milk, and Frito Lay, and later owned Donnie’s Lawn and Tree Service. Being a strong family man, Donnie led by example and took his family to church and made sure they were raised in a Christian home. Instilling a good work ethic in his children was very important to him. Being the head of the household, he equipped his family with strong morals and values. He was a proud Papa to five beautiful granddaughters. Donnie was always fascinated with Mother Nature. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. For many years, he took his family on numerous camping trips to the lake and vacations in Colorado that made memories to last a lifetime. Everyone who knew Donnie, knew of his passion for fishing and wildlife. In his retired years, he enjoyed spending time with his family, watching football, hunting shows, and westerns. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Brac McKinney and sister-in-law Wanda.

He is survived by his wife Pat McKinney of Plainview, his son, Heath McKinney and his wife Brandi and their three daughters, Macee, Tatum, and Chloe of Shallowater; his daughters, Heather Hill and her husband, Bracken, and their two daughters, Kylee and Emilee of Plainview; his daughter Courtney Farenthold and her husband Dave and their children, Austin, Addison, and Tarryn of Forney; his brother, Eddie McKinney and wife Vicky of Hale Center; his sisters, Kathy Sherrod and Jeannie Forest, both of Lubbock. 

A visitation will be held 6:00-8:00 P.M. Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at the funeral home. 

Services will be held 10:00 A.M. Thursday, December 23, 2021 at Bethel Baptist Church with Glenn Clark and Phillip Hamilton officiating. Interment will follow in Plainview Memorial Park under the care of Kornerstone Funeral Directors. 

Memorial contributions may be sent to Bethel Baptist Church, 1700 N. Interstate 27, Plainview, TX 79072