COLONEL NEVELLE E. MCKINNEY, USA-RET.

Nevelle Earnest McKinney passed away peacefully among close family members March 14, 2009, at Silver Springs Retirement Center after a rapid illness, at 95 years of age.

Nevelle was born in Crescent, Okla., on May 20, 1913. After a rural upbringing, he graduated as a pharmacist from the University of Oklahoma.

Mr. McKinney’s military career began in the Oklahoma National Guard in 1932, rising up through the ranks from private to 2nd Lieutenant by Janaury 1940. When his unit was called into federal service later in 1940, Nevelle was one of three ordnance officers. He was promoted to a company CO then to Third Army Ordnance Maintenance Officer and member of the staff of the Southern Defense Command where he spent four years training units, inspecting equipment and attending schools.In 1944, Nevelle was sent to Europe, arriving in France in the fall of 1944, as part of the 99th Division. His division was heavily involved in the Battle of the Bulge, being on the front line when the Germans attacked and throughout the battle. He was involved in many actions as the Third Army fought to and into Germany, including crossing the famous Remagen Bridge while it was still under fire. For his war service he received 14 medals and service ribbons, including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Mr. McKinney retired from the Army as a full Colonel after 34 years of service.

After WWII, Nevelle married his war-time sweetheart, Lt. Francis Turner, an Army nurse who served in the Pacific Theater, and settled in Dallas, Texas. Nevelle owned several drug stores and was involved in Dallas politics, serving one term as City Councilman and two terms on the Dallas Planning Commission. He also was a member of the Parkland County Hospital Board.

Mr. McKinney and Francis lived many years in Taos, N.M. where he was also active in the community.

Col. McKinney and Francis retired and moved to Green Valley, but remained active, serving as both president and vice president of the GV Community Coordinating Council and Block Coordinator. He was an Elks Club Member and member of the Veteran’s Association of Tucson. He was a founder, along with his life-friend Dr. Dutch Meyer, of the Monday Discussion Group, which has been meeting more than 20 years. Nevelle remained involved in the community into his 90s. Mr. McKinney was a member of Valley Presbyterian Church since 1990.

Nevelle McKinney left many loving relatives and friends. He had four children: Kenneth McKinney of Oklahoma City, Marilyn Ann McKinney Willis (deceased), Bill McKinney of Albuquerque, N.M. and Carrell McKinney Ebert of Green Valley. In addition, he had nine grandchildren: Heather Pettigrew of Sahuarita, Nevelle May, Robert Aranda, Daniel Bruschi, Jay Willis, Nathan Willis, Malinda Rowe, Sarah Jane Gillette, and Anne Richmond; 11 great-grandchildren including Melissa Pettigrew and Michael McKinney Pettigrew of Sahuarita and Nathaniel Aranda of Albuquerque; as well as four great-great-grandchildren.

Col. McKinney leaves many close local and distant friends, including Bill and Mary Jo Dwire, of Green Valley, dearest friends for well over 20 years.

Services will be held at Silver Springs Assisted Care Facility at 500 Camino Encanto at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18, and at the Santa Fe National Cemetery for a military honor ceremony in Santa Fe, N.M. on March 23, 2009.

Donations in Nevelle’s memory may be sent to: C.U. Cancer Center, Mail Stop 8111, PO Box 6511, Aurora, CO 80045. Please label as Michele Plachy-Rubin Endowment Fund in Memory of Nevelle McKinney.