Genealogy of Jim McKinney - Edwin Gene McKinney

Edwin Gene McKinney

M, (24 October 1930 - 26 December 2002)

Father*

Stanley Russell McKinney (5 Mar 1902 - 2 Nov 1993)

Mother*

Phoebe Alice Jones (9 Jul 1898 - 24 Jan 1978)

Relationship

Uncle of James Jay McKinney.

Last Edited

30 Jan 2006

Reference

MMMC.4

Researcher

Unrelated

(Witness) Document

5 March 1902

Document(s):

Birth Certificate.

, Principal=Stanley Russell McKinney

(Witness) Photo

circa 1930

Paola, Miami Co., KS,

Photo taken May 1983. House in Paola, KS where Gene was born, circa 1930. Identified by Gene McKinney. Photo owned by Jim McKinney. , Principal=Stanley Russell McKinney, Principal=Phoebe Alice Jones

(Witness) Photo

circa 1930

1930 circa. Margaret, Gene, Alice and Buster McKinney. Identified by Jim McKinney. Date based on appearance of kids. Photo owned by Margaret (nee McKinney) Lewellen. , Principal=Phoebe Alice Jones

Birth*

24 October 1930

Paola, Miami Co., KS^1,2

Photo*

circa 1936

1936 circa. Gene McKinney. Identified by association with others of McKinney kids - dates based on appearance of kids. Photo owned by Jim McKinney.

Photo

circa 1939

1939 circa. Gene McKinney.

Graduation*

1952

Washburn University, Topeka, Shawnee Co., KS, Went on Football Scholarship. Received a BA in Political Science and History.¹

Photo

circa 1954

1954 circa. Gene McKinney. Photo owned by Gene McKinney.

Graduation

1954

Washburn Law School, Topeka, Shawnee Co., KS, Juris Doctor (i.e. law degree).¹

Milit-Beg*

between 1954 and 1956

Warner Robbins Air Force Base, Houston Co., GA, Base legal officer a JAG. Tried deserters from Korean War. Left as 1st Lieutenant. Later joined reserve and left as Captain.¹

Occupation*

between 1956 and 1963

Topeka, Shawnee Co., KS, Attorney at Lillard, Edson, Lewis & Porter. Left as partner.¹

Occupation

between 1959 and 1980

Washburn Law School, Topeka, Shawnee Co., KS, Taught Corporate Law and Insurance. Quit when Susan started law school.¹

Occupation

between 1963 and 1978

Topeka, Shawnee Co., KS, Partner at Marshall, Hawks, McKinney & Hendrix Law Firm.¹

Occupation

between 1978 and 1987

Practiced as Gene McKinney Attorney at Law. Primarily Trusts, Estates, and Taxation.¹

Photo

May 1983

Topeka, Shawnee Co., KS,

1983/05. Gene's office. Susan and Gene McKinney. Identified by Jim McKinney. Photo owned by Jim McKinney.

Occupation

after 1987

Topeka, Shawnee Co., KS, Formed McKinney & McKinney partnership with son. Primarily Trusts, Estates, and Taxation.¹

(Witness) Photo

after 2 November 1993

Twin Falls, Twin Falls Co., ID,

1993. S.R. McKinney's Funeral. L-R: Gene, Susan, Craig, Lee, Rob, & Buster McKinney. Identified by Jim McKinney. Photo owned by Jim McKinney. , Principal=Stanley Russell McKinney

Illness*

after 1995

Topeka, Shawnee Co., KS, Diagnosed with Chronic Limphoid Leukemia. Can take up to 25 years to affect.¹

Death*

26 December 2002

Topeka, KS, Died from Leukemia³

Burial*

31 December 2002

Morrill, KS, Buried next to wife's family the Davis's.³

Document*

31 December 2002

Topeka, Shawnee Co., KS,

Document(s):

Obituary. Obituary of Gene McKinney published in the Topeka newspaper: The Capital-Journal on December 28, 2002 on page 3B. Also included a life summary of Gene presented at Gene's funeral service.

Note*

31 December 2002

Notes from children read as part of eulogy given by the Minister:
Susan:
When I asked my youngest daughter what first came to mind when she thought of Grandpa, she immediately said, "Grandpa was so funny!" I loved my dad's sense of humor. He could find the humor in just about any situation.
Dad was very passionate about honor and family. When my mother became ill, Dad cared for her at home for years without complaint. He loved his grandchildren. He loved to visit his brothers in Las Vegas and felt unwavering loyalty to his brothers, Buster and Larry, and his sister, Margaret.
Dad loved practicing law. He loved to travel. He loved Fantasy Football and everything about Washburn basketball and football. He was very proud of Washburn University.
Dad could be painfully honest - but you usually knew where you stood with him.
Dad loved to go to the horse races in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He loved Silver Dollar City in Branson.

Craig:
Gene, as a highschooler working at the soda fountain in Paola, aspired to be a good honest lawyer- so that's what he did for the rest for his life.
He took his cue from family, God and football. Play by the rules but play hard, straight and full speed ahead.
One of the last students to begin Washburn Law School while still playing football he ended that first year on crutches due to a football knee injury and surgery. Just recently he recalled, slightly pained by the memory, of attending law school classes in jeans when that was not the style, but what he could afford.
Gene always had a strong sense of duty and a commitment to do the job right, something he learned from both his mother and father. Sometimes an enigma, he steadfastly lead his family through the turbulent waters of the 1960s and 70s with a consistency that is likely greater appreciated in hindsight. He was committed to the community and organizations, but not naive as to the abuse of power by some- and the difficulties faced by others less fortunate.
He was loyal to Cynthia to a fault. He met her when he was wearing those jeans in law school. When he went to a local clothing store and told the clerk he was getting married and needed a new shirt the proprietor lectured him he had no business getting married until he had established himself. Gene ignored her and never ever patronized that store again. He could never forget Cynthia was with him from the beginning and this thought weighed mightily on him dealing with her difficulties over the past few years.
Gene was moderate in his habits, a bad golfer, liked hillbilly music, especially the Franzke kind. He was tolerant and respectful of persons of all different backgrounds and had a very strong egalitarian streak. Cautious by profession, and optimistic by nature, Gene was both a loner and a leader.

Nancy:
My dad was my hero. He was always there, always knew what to do; always knew what the right thing to do was; and always seem to do the right thing. He had great strength of character.
My early memories were fun ones; but one time I split my eyebrow open as he was swinging a glass gallon of milk around from the refrigerator. I remember being so happy to see him on a Saturday morning, I raced into the kitchen right into that milk jug!
Dad worked a lot, but he also liked to have fun. Even when he was out of town on my birthday when I was five he remembered to send me a telegram wishing me a happy day.
Dad was usually a serious kind of guy, but he had a great sense of humor and a fun side, especially on vacations. We went on vacations every summer, to Florida, the Ozarks, Idaho, the West. He would eventually relax and get pretty silly; especially when we took out the boat. Mom hated the water, but she tolerated the boating trips. When Dad jumped in the water, always last to take his turn skiing, he'd yell, "Man's Eye!" He had more fun on the boat than just about anywhere else.
When we moved to West Hills I remember helping Dad plant the trees in the yard. He was so proud of that house and we were fortunate to grow up in such beautiful surroundings. On Sunday mornings Dad and I would walk up around the governor's mansion and over to the ponds. That was later the highlight of many family holiday gatherings. He loved walking up near the woods and seeing the wildlife. Our dogs would get lost in those woods, and we'd always go looking through the trails for them. Dad loved dogs too; throughout his life he more often than not would have a dog, and he
once tolerated a cat I brought home from college.
Dad (and Mom too) always instilled in us a sense of initiative. There was never a question of whether we children would go to college; we knew we all had to further our education,and Dad at one time, when he first started his own law practice, had three children in college. I have always felt tremendous gratitude to my parents for allowing me to go to KU, and instilling in me a strong belief in education and learning.
Dad had a rough childhood and always credited his mother for raising him and encouraging him to stay in college as well. He was very loyal to his own mother and our mother. He always gave credit to our mother for helping him start and maintain his law practice solo.
It broke Dad's heart last spring when we all realized it was time to put Mom in the nursing home. His best friend, love of his life, his partner was gone in more ways than one. His joy of living was gone, although his will to live was very strong. He told me some of his best memories were traveling with Mom to Spain, Hawaii, and to various countries in Europe. He was so thankful that they were able to go to France several years ago, and had a wonderful time with their friends. They liked to dance, go to the horse races, and play golf, as long as the bets were inexpensive! Dad always looked forward to his annual March trip to Hot Springs, Arkansas, to break up the monotany of the tax season!
Dad loved football, Washburn basketball, country music, and the Topeka Jazz Workshop. He liked going to all of his grandchildren's sporting events, plays, recitals, and programs. He tried never to miss Grandparents' Day at any of their schools. He and Grandma, never missed a birthday, and were always generous with their children and grandchildren.
Finally, Dad was always very proud of the fact that he had helped build Lowman Church on Drury Lane. He was active in many areas of the church and had fond memories of teaching Sunday School years ago.⁴

Citations

[S42] Interview with unknown informant (unknown informant address). Unknown repository (unknown repository address).
[S30] Personal Interview: S.R.McKinney.
[S26] Unknown compiler, compiler, "Funeral Notice"; Jim McKinney personally attended service., Ancestral File unknown repository, unknown repository address.
[S63] Unpublished: Copies of letters sent by Nancy (nee McKinney) McKenzie in early 2003.