Employed in Willow Springs Michael Loy McKinney, son of the late Sam Houston and Lessie (Ingram) McKinney, was born Dec. 7, 1946, in Lufkin, Texas, and departed this life suddenly on March 3, 2006, in St. John’s Hospital, Springfield. He was 59.
Michael grew up and attended school in Lufkin, Texas. He served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged on July 1, 1973. Following his discharge, he lived in Lufkin, Texas, and retired from Champion International Paper Company after 20 years. He loved his parents dearly, and later moved with them to Missouri where he found a love for Fox Trotter horses. He owned several over the years.
He was employed in the maintenance department at Willow Health Care in Willow Springs. He enjoyed his job and helping the older residents of the nursing home. His special close friends whom he worked with were Glenda Turnbull, who was like a sister, and his boss, Johnnie Townsend.
Michael was married to Teresa Barney on Feb. 8, 1991, in Drury. They had renewed their wedding vows at St. Leo’s Catholic Church on Dec. 8, 2005.
He was a member of St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Ava where he found a deep fulfillment, inner peace and reverence in his life through the church. He was a Christian and was ready to go when God called him.
Michael was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. His family was very important to him. He also had a Cathoula Leopard Kurr dog named Boudreau who was very special to him and they were always together.
He was preceded in death by his father, Sam McKinney, in 1994; his mother, Lessie McKinney, in the mid-1970s; and by a half brother, Gordon Smith, in the mid-1990s.
He is survived by his loving wife, Teresa McKinney, of their home in Denlow; his sons, Michael Madden, of Maryland Heights, Jesse Madden, of Mtn. Grove, and Brian McKinney, of Tyler, Texas; his daughters, Katie Vivod, Mtn. Grove, and Gwen Milligan, Lufkin, Texas; six grandchildren, Tyler Madden and Kierra Madden, of Mtn. Grove, Justin McKinney and Garrett McKinney, Huntington, Texas, and Chase Milligan and Hannah Milligan, of Lufkin, Texas; and a host of other relatives and friends who will deeply miss him.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m., Wednesday in the St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Ava, with Fr. Paul Wightman and Deacon Joe Kurtenbach officiating. Full military rites were given at the cemetery by American Legion Post 30, with Jared Moore serving as bugler. Burial was in Pleasant Home Cemetery under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mtn. Grove.
