Richard Eugene McKinney age 78 of LaCygne, Kansas died February 6, 2018 at his home.

Richard was born February 21, 1939 in Osawatomie, KS. He was the fourth of nine children born to Luellen & Nettie Susan (Russell) McKinney. He grew up an attended high school in Osawatomie. He graduated with the Osawatomie High School Class of 1957.

After high school, Richard enlisted in the United States Navy. During that two years his job was titled a weather observer and he helped the meteorologist to predict weather. In 1959, Richard was honorably discharged. He returned home to Osawatomie and began working at the Osawatomie State Hospital as a Licensed Mental Health Tech.

On September 22, 1961, Richard married Betty Fern Thompson in Osawatomie, KS. Together they had four children Belinda, James, Rick and Evonna. They made their home in Beagle, KS. Then in 1966, Richard reenlisted in the Navy for two more years.

In 1968, Richard began working for the US Postal Service as a mail carrier in Osawatomie. He had medical problems so had to quit. He then began taking college courses at Allen County Community College in Iola. He earned his Associates degree in Business. He then started his career as a Nursing Home administrator. He worked as various nursing homes such as; Friendship Manor in Paola, Ulysses Nursing Home in Ulysses, KS, Holiday Manor in Osawatomie and Cherry Creek in Wichita, KS. Richard was a jack of many trades. He worked as an EMT and in the Security department for Wells Fargo. He also went back to work at the State hospital as a LMHT. His wife Betty passed away on April 1, 1993. Richard then went to work at Johnson County Mental Health as a Med Tech. There he met Sherrill Brady and they were married December 17, 1994 in Osawatomie, KS.

Richard retired in 2001 but couldn’t just stay home, so he went to work for Apple Bus, driving a bus in Olathe. He then wanted to move back to Osawatomie to be closer to his family and became the manager of Apple Bus Co. Before having to retire fully do to health issues, Richard drove the bus for TriKo Inc.

When he was not working, Richard enjoyed gardening. He loved theatre and was the lead in two plays called “Boeing-Boeing” and “Oh Dad Poor Dad” at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center in Iola. He also loved going to the New Theatre Restaurant with his family and friends. He was a great singer and when they were in high school he and Betty would sing duets together. Richard liked fishing, horses, pheasant hunting, watching news, the Kansas City Royals and Wheel of Fortune. Over the years he was active in the Board of Directors of the Miami County Medical Center, the president of Kansas Health Care Association working alongside Bob Dole. .He was a member of the Saddle Club in Beagle, Miami County Angus Association, Miami County Fair Board, as a 4-H Leader. He was in the CB Club and he was a Mason. Over the years he was a member of the Methodist Church in Beagle and the Assembly of God churches in Osawatomie and Paola. Richard was a family man. He was very involved with his children and then his grandchildren. He attended every event he could.

He was preceded in death by both wives Betty and Sherrill, his parents, daughter Belinda Clements, sisters Betty Oram and infant sister Twilla Mea McKinney and brother LeRoy McKinney, granddaughters Angal May Clements, Monica Snyder, Stephanie Stalder and great grandsons Harmon Hutchison and Seth Stadler.

Survivors include children James Morgan of Iola, KS, Rick (Conner) Sanders of Osawatomie, KS, Evonna (Dennis) Snyder of LaCygne, KS and Marsha McKinney of Osawatomie, KS, Linda Stalder of Blue Springs, MO, Scott Stalder of Olathe, KS, Lisa Shinkle of Independence, MO, Steven (Judy) Stalder El Paso, TX, Leslie Evans of Blue Springs, MO and Lorie (Sergio) Zaderenko of Shawnee Mission, KS. Grandchildren Briana (Pete) Hutchison, Brice (Holly) Shambaugh, Colleen (Chris Deason) McKinney, Megan McKinney, Hollie (Freddie Collins) McKinney, Dustin (Breanna Decker) Snyder, Tyler Snyder, April (Scott) Smith, Charity (Henry) Rodriguez, Dan (Laura) Wehner, Joe (Janet) Shinkle, Jerry (Melissa) Shinkle, Jake (Shawna) Shinkle, Quin Evans, Arrianna Zaderenko, Amead Stalder, Sarah Stalder and Christian Stalder. Great Grandchildren, Katarina, Santino, Ashlynn, Aubree, Aleah, Gwen, Gabriel, Presley, GraceLynn, Aria, Arianna, Maddy, Sophia, George, Krye, Scarlette, Jeanette, Adian, Hudson, Everly, Kattlynn, Anna, Jeremiah, Phinieas and Florence. Brothers Montie (Wade Paddock) McKinney of Yaleville, AK and Rolla (Sharon) McKinney of Osawatomie, KS. Sisters Pat Monroe Galeta, CA, Sharon Stewart of Osawatomie, KS and Delores (Ray) White of Parker, KS. Along with other family and friends.