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Claude McKinney Obituary
He was preceded in death by his father Edward McKinney in 2017 and is survived by his mother Ruthelyce McKinney and his two sisters, Jan Zimmerman (Tim) and Jeanie Gordon (Mike) plus several nephews and nieces.
The entire world lost a kind and gentle soul, so knowledgeable and caring, someone whose life had purpose and value. Claude was a dedicated teacher who took an interest in the direction his students would take in life past high school. He was a driving force in getting his students to set goals for themselves and to follow their dreams of being educated and successful in life. Claude was a genuinely happy man. His teaching lessons were often laced with humor and practical jokes. He was a lifelong learner, always buying books on topics from philosophy and calculus to directions on how to do magical tricks and cooking. One of his favorite gifts when he graduated from Texas Tech was Betty Crocker's Junior Miss Cook Book. It was a joke from a friend and he saw it as that, but he found it practical and useful. Claude was thoughtful and courteous, often putting other's needs before his own. He had an eye for people on the street who looked genuinely needy and always had a twenty dollar bill at the ready to give them. There just aren't enough words to describe the goodness in Claude.
When he was sick and in the hospital many ex-students reached out to let him know how much he had impacted their lives. He was very touched.
Claude lived his life as a truly spiritual Christian man. He will be missed by his loved ones. But they can take solace in the fact that he is now living in the kingdom of God. We love you Claude and always will.
A memorial service will be held Sat. Nov. 9 at 1:00-5:00 at Heavenly Grace Funeral Home 26873 N White Ranch Rd., La Feria, TX
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Claude McKinney
Sponsored by Heavenly Grace Funeral Home & Memorial Park.
Amanda Mata
November 3, 2019
You truly are a treasure! You are, and forever will be my most favorite teacher. I could have never thanked you enough.
My condolences to the family! He will be greatly missed.
November 2, 2019
Just like Clara Adame has expressed (class of 1981) you were a good teacher with an excellent sense of humor. We all enjoyed your ready smile and laugh and those mischievous dark blue eyes. I had forgotten that it was you who introduced us to Monty Python( Clara's comments brought this memory back). Through your teaching you planted seeds of curiosity. More importantly you taught us about our government and the importance of participating in it. I remember you handing out voter registration cards for those of us who were eighteen years of age, so we could vote in our first presidential race(Carter vs. Ford). I remember filling out the card and feeling so proud to be voting for the first time. Thank you for caring about us and making us laugh. Sincerely, your RHHS student, class of 81, Belinda Ortega
Cristina P
October 28, 2019
Thank you for all you did! Prayers to your family.
Emeterio Ramirez
October 28, 2019
May you rest in peace friend and classmate.
Clara Adame
October 28, 2019
Mr McKinney - you were such a great teacher and will be sorely missed at RHHS! You left an everlasting impression and were one of the last great ones (teachers). Thank you for introducing me to other parts of the world with your detailed descriptions and stories - I got hooked on Greek mythology along with your Monty Python movies you were able to share with us. Now you are the one that will get to find that "Holy Grail". May your rest in peace and may the Lord keep your family strong.
Rita Wilson
October 27, 2019
Claude was a special friend I met 38 years ago. He was always friendly, helpful, loved teaching, and traveling. Claude was definitely crazy about his family and would share stories. YouTube, reading, and movies were other things he enjoyed. I will miss our get togethers. May God give comfort to his family and Meg.
Margaret (Meg) Miller
October 27, 2019
I was Claude's longtime love and best friend. He was always there for me whether it was to chase a lizard out of the house, change a tire, or to reach something down from a high kitchen shelf. He was a true gentleman. I'll always have the memories of our trips to Pagosa Springs and the house in the woods near the mountains under the bluest sky. Love you forever.
Margaret (Meg) Miller
October 27, 2019
I was Claude's longtime love and best friend.
He was always there whenever I needed him, whether it was to chase a lizard out of the house, to change a tire, or to lift something down from a high kitchen shelf. He was a true gentleman and will be missed by many. i'll always have the memories of out trips to Pagosa Springs and the house in the woods near the mountains under the bluest sky.
Margaret (Meg) Miller
October 27, 2019
I was Claude's longtime love and best friend.
He was always there whenever I needed him whether it was to chase a lizard out of the house, to change a tire, or to lift something down from a high shelf. Claude was a true gentleman who will be forever missed. I'll always have memories of
our trips to Pagosa Springs and the house in the woods near the mountains under the bluest sky.
Love you forever.
Margaret (Meg) Miller
October 27, 2019
I was Claude's longtime love and best friend.
He was always there when I needed him, whether it was to chase a lizard out of the house, to change a tire, to lift something down off a high shelf or to help me when I was sick. He was a true gentleman. i'll always have the memories of our trips to Pagosa Springs, Colorado and the house in the woods near the mountains under the bluest sky. I'll love you forever, Claude.
Margaret (Meg) Miller
October 27, 2019
I was Claude's longtime love and best friend.
He was always there for me whenever I needed him, whether it was to chase a lizard out of the house, to change a tire, or to get something down from a high kitchen shelf, or change a light bulb. (Claude was 6"1" and I'm 5'1") He was a true gentleman and never too tired or too busy to help anyone. I'll always have the fond memories of our trips to Pagosa Springs, Colorado and the house in the woods near the mountains under the bluest skies.
Ida Serna
October 27, 2019
Thank you for all of the lessons and friendship. ❤
Nella Garcia
October 27, 2019
I truly wish I would have seized an opportunity to share my gratitude with Mr. McKinney for being an exceptional teacher. I can count on one hand the teachers that left a lasting impression on me and he is one of them. He had a passion for government that followed me into college, where I obtained a degree in Political Science. One lesson Mr. McKinney often reminded his classes of was that history repeated itself. I have found that to be true often. What I will remember most was his passion for his subject. I wish his family peace and wish him the best of travels home.
Delfilia Diaz
October 27, 2019
To the family of Mr. McKinney, he was the primary example of what educators should be doing now. With his daily talks, encouragement, motivation he inspired me to pursue all of my educational endeavors and degrees. He was a kind, loving and intelligent man. He will continue teaching in heaven, no longer suffering and with our heavenly father. RIP.
Martha Edwards
October 27, 2019
Mr.McKinney, sir, u were a great teacher. U will be missed by many of your students. U touched so many lives through your teaching.
Showing 1 - 17 of 17 results
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Memorial Events
for Claude McKinney
Nov
9
Memorial service
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Heavenly Grace Funeral Home & Memorial Park26873 N. White Ranch Road, La Feria, TX 78559
Funeral services provided by:
Heavenly Grace Funeral Home & Memorial Park26873 N. White Ranch Road, La Feria, TX 78559
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