Michael McKinney, 59, of Houston, died Friday, Dec. 18, 2009.
He was born on June 14, 1950, in Houston, son of Vernon and Peggy McKinney. He and Tammy were married in 1981 in Annapolis, Md.
After growing up in Houston, he graduated from the Naval Academy in 1972. He was deployed to the Philippines during the Vietnam conflict. In 1982, he graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a Ph.D. in neurobiochemistry. He worked for 20 years with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and Jacksonville, Fla., as a research scientist. He was accomplished with his research in fighting Alzheimer’s disease while at Mayo.
He learned to play classical and Spanish music on the guitar as well as teaching himself various languages, such as Hebrew and Arabic. He also studied world religions. His hobbies included metalworking, geology, archaeology, hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, oil painting and working as a gunsmith. He also became involved in philanthropic endeavors such as an orphanage in Africa and church prison ministries.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife, Tammy; three children, Hannah, Molly and Joshua; and a sister, Kathy Cooper.
Services were Wednesday, Dec. 23, at Evans Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Frankie McCune officiating. Burial was in Emery Cemetery.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Compassion International, 12290 Voyage Parkway, Colorado Springs, Colo., 80921. Use the ID#1512408. You may also go to www.compassion.com.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.evansfh.com.
