Charles Lee McKinney

1929 - 2013

Charles Lee McKinney
Dec. 6, 1929-May 21, 2013
Resident of Aptos
Charles passed away on May 21, 2013 in Santa Cruz, CA. He was born in Selma, Alabama, one of five children. He received his B.S. from Jacksonville State College in Jacksonville, AL, then proudly served four years as an officer in the US Navy, sailing on the USS Midway during the Korean War. He received his PhD. in education administration in 1963 from Florida State University. In 1966 he became the first president of the South Campus of Tarrant County Junior College in Ft. Worth, TX and held that position until 1989, leading the campus through times of growth and great change. At TCJC he established the pioneering Distance Learning program that grew from seven instructional television courses to over 200 instructional television and online courses today.
After retiring, he pursued his love of hot springs by purchasing a motel and hot springs in Caliente, NV. Later he traveled the country visiting hot springs and other nature sites mostly in the West, finally settling in Truth Or Consequences, NM, where he helped to establish the "Bountiful Alliance" a non-profit organization dedicated to creating community sustainability through projects such as the farmers' market. He loved New Mexico, which he frequently referred to as the "Land of Enchantment," and he spent several happy years in "T or C" in quiet retirement.
Charles was a consummate Southern gentleman, a kind and thoughtful man who made friends wherever he went. He was a true scholar who loved books and reading, and had a deep and quiet Christian faith. An avid organic gardener, he also enjoyed animals and children and particularly loved doting on his granddaughter Juliet and being a "Paw-Paw." He once drove all the way from southern New Mexico to Aptos in a Jeep loaded with gifts for her, including a tricycle and an old-fashioned "spring horse" that he had restored strapped to the roof.
After suffering a major stroke in 2008, he convalesced at Kindred Santa Cruz Healthcare center, attended regularly by his family and friends. The family wishes to gratefully acknowledge caregivers Victoria Pedroza, Karuna "KB" Chapman, and Martha Whitham for their unfailing kindness and attention. He is survived by his son, Charles Randolph "Rand" McKinney (Candice) and granddaughter Juliet Virginia McKinney of Aptos, CA; sister Doris Veach, of Selma, AL; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Virginia, and his second wife, Marilyn.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Dr. Charles L. McKinney Scholarship, Tarrant County College Foundation, 1500 Houston, Fort Worth, Texas 76102, attn.: Liz Sisk.