Carl Don McKinney was born on December 4, 1970 in DeQueen, Ark. to Don and Barbara (Mussett) McKinney. He passed from this life on January 4, 2022.
Carl graduated from Valliant High School in 1989 and went on to further his education by obtaining a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Southeastern University. He married the love of his life Paula (Storey) McKinney and they made their home in the Felker area where he had resided most of his life.
He was a member of the Felker Church and truly loved the Lord. He worked in the law enforcement industry and worked for several Police Departments – Valliant PD, Idabel PD, McCurtain County Sheriff’s Office and the Oklahoma Inspector General’s Office. Carl was also a 32ndDegree Mason, a member of the Patriot Guard and a Shriner. He also went through Air Assault training with the ARMY National Guard for Operation Red River.
Carl loved his music and was a musician in Branson for Mickey Gilley, Mel Tillis, The Haygoods, Clay Cooper and other artists. He was Billboard Musician of the Year for four years. Carl also enjoyed hunting and fishing, as well as riding motorcycles. He loved being involved with everything to do with his grandchildren and will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his father; paternal grandparents, C.M. and Georgia McKinney; maternal grandmother, Leona Mussett; and grandson, Thomas Speligene.
Carl is survived by his mother, Barbara McKinney; wife, Paula McKinney of Valliant, Okla.; grandchildren: Madeira Speligene, Lucie Speligene, Dustin Speligene, Gabriella Brown, Gavin Brown, Anthony Hughes, Avary Hughes, Andrew Hughes, Mya Hunt, Rylan Hunt, Kaynen Hunt, Asher Speligene, Everly Speligene, Juliet Speligene, and Archer Slabaugh; sister, Jamie Kirkes and husband Darin; niece, Lauren Box; nephews, Trevor Kirkes and Baylor Box; along with a host of other family, friends and loved ones.
A graveside service in his honor will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, at the Valliant Cemetery.
Arrangements under the direction of Miller and Miller Funeral Home.