Edgar Lee McKinney
October 23, 1924 — February 8, 2016
Mr. Edgar Lee McKinney, age 91 a long time resident of the area passed away in the early morning hours of Monday, February 8, 2016 at the home of his daughter in Niceville. He was born October 23, 1924 in Sheridan, Indiana, the son of Wren and Freida Pruitt McKinney. In the mid fifties he moved with his family to Lakeland with his parents. Later, he moved to Gulf Breeze onto Valpariso until finally he found what he was looking for, Deer Hunter’s Paradise, Walton County. He found time, between hunting season to earn a living as a framer in the carpentry industry, a profession he would work in until he was 75 years old. He loved the outdoors and he and his wife always had cows, chickens, rabbits, dogs, hogs and the likes of such farm animals. Some have said Lee was born too late, that he would have fared better if he had been a generation of the 1800’s when people survived from the bounty of the environment. Rural legend has it that on one occasion when Lee was hunting, he killed two deer with one shot…the irony is, it was not the deer he was aiming at. His wife, Helen Loraine Ward McKinney passed away on December 31, 2000. In late 2005 he moved to live with his daughter in Niceville. He is predeceased by his brothers, Wayne, David and Donald.
Among survivors are his children: Cherly Soles and husband Donny. Linda L. Lozano and husband Frank, Dennis L. McKinney, Penny L. Thomas and husband Bob and Buster L. McKinney and wife Debra. His brother, John McKinney and wife Phyllis, his sister, Judi Smith, his sisters-in-law Pauline Heiny and Ina McKinney. Thirteen grandchildren and numerous step grandchildren also survive.
Floral arrangements are being accepted. A time of visitation will be Saturday, February 13, 2016 from 10 until 11 A.M. in Jerry Evans Chapel. At 11 A.M. a time of reflection about the life of Edgar Lee McKinney will begin with those who will, sharing remembrances, favorite stories and tales about Lee. Some will be humorous, some sad, some inspirational but all will give a passing glance of who he was. Interment will follow in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery. .