83R9030 BPG-D
By: Darby H.R. No. 723
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A full and productive life drew to a close with the
passing of Robert Leonadis McKinney, Jr., of Big Lake on June 15,
2011, at the age of 87; and
WHEREAS, Born in Big Lake on July 9, 1923, R. L. McKinney was
the son of Lonnie and Nilla Coates McKinney; he was descended from
Mordecai McKinney, who was born on the Isle of Skye in Scotland in
1685 and emigrated to New Jersey; his other ancestors included
Collin McKinney, one of the five men who drafted the Texas
Declaration of Independence at the Convention of 1836 and a member
of the committee that drafted the constitution of the Republic of
Texas; this forebear was the namesake of both Collin County and its
county seat, McKinney, and the pen he used to sign the declaration
remains in the family; and
WHEREAS, Mr. McKinney began helping to support his family at
the age of seven, following the untimely death of his father; he
sold newspapers and theater popcorn, and after graduating from
Reagan County High School, he turned down a scholarship to Texas
Tech University in order to work on the family ranch; with his
savings and a $400 loan from the bank, he purchased 140 breeding
ewes; his agricultural employment qualified him for a deferment
during World War II, but he chose to join the United States Navy and
served as a radio operator on the U.S.S. Prometheus in the Pacific
theater; and
WHEREAS, When he returned from the war, Mr. McKinney married
the love of his life, the former Mary Evelyn Stout; they became the
proud parents of three children, Pete, Cheryl, and Lorri, and
through the years, Mr. McKinney knew the joy of welcoming six
grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, A respected member of his community, Mr. McKinney
owned and operated S & S 66 and Southwest Fuel Company for more than
three decades; he was a caring mentor to numerous young men who
worked for him in the summers, and many of them wrote to express
their appreciation for the lessons he taught regarding the value of
hard work and responsibility; and
WHEREAS, This civic-minded Texan was a member of the Lions
Club, the chamber of commerce, the American Legion, and the First
Methodist Church; he was also a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge
and a charter member of the Big Lake Golf Association, where he
enjoyed playing rounds with his golf buddies; his formal accolades
included selection as Retail Business Member of the Year by the
chamber, and through his kindness and friendship toward all, he
earned the nickname "the Prince of Reagan County"; and
WHEREAS, R. L. McKinney enriched the lives of all who were
fortunate enough to know him, and although he is deeply missed,
memories of his warmth and generosity will forever remain a source
of inspiration to his loved ones; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Robert Leonadis
McKinney, Jr., and extend sincere condolences to the members of his
family: to his wife, Evelyn Stout McKinney; to his children, Robert
Leonadis "Pete" McKinney III and his wife, Patrice, Cheryl
deCordova and her husband, Aubrey, and Lorri Jenkins and her
husband, Mike; to his grandchildren, Rachel Beaver and her husband,
Jonathan, Robert Leonadis McKinney IV and his wife, Angie, Scott
Jenkins, Kayla Jenkins, Emily deCordova, and Clay deCordova and his
wife, Shelia; to his five great-grandchildren; and to his many
other relatives and friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
R. L. McKinney.