December 10, 1946 –  August 15, 2016 John Michael “Mike” McKinney, 69, of Plano, Texas passed from this earth on Monday August 15, 2016 at Baylor Medical Center Dallas.
Mike was born in Sherman, Texas on December 10, 1946 to Billy John & Ozelle Young McKinney. He was a 1964 graduate of Sherman High School, and received a Bachelor of Arts in Business from Austin College in 1969. During this time, he married the “love of his life” Judy Edens McKinney (also known as “wife”, which he borrowed from his Grandad McKinney).

Mike began his 40 year career with the electric company when he went to work for Texas Power & Light (also known throughout his career as TXU & Oncor) in August 1969 in Temple, Texas as a Sales Representative. He continued his career throughout Texas in numerous management positions in Irving, Bonham, Mineral Wells, Irving, and Elgin. His service then took him to be Manager of the Grapevine & Waxahachie Districts. In 1989 Mike became the Manager of Public/Community Affairs in Dallas, and continued his service & career in Dallas as Manager of Dallas Region Customer Service & Operations, Dallas Community Relations Manager, Manager of Customer Service & Marketing in Dallas, Economic Development Manager, Vice President of Economic Development, and Director of Economic Development. During his career he also served 18 months in the Public Policy Group, working on passage of Senate Bill 7.

Mike has served on numerous Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, and other service organization boards. He served on the Boards of the City of Dallas Economic Development Planning Committee, the Greater Dallas Planning Council, the North Texas Commission, and the Dallas Assembly, CoreNet Global, D-21 (International Electric Utility Economic Development Association), UEDA (Utility Economic Development Association), TABCC (Texas Association of Business and Chambers of Commerce), Dallas Zoological Society, Texas Marketing Team Steering Committee, Governor’s Office Program Review Committee, Chairman of TEDC (Texas Economic Development Council), and countless other committee’s and organizations.

Mike was a TEXAN, and very proud of his heritage and his state. He was honored that is career kept him involved & working in Texas. An avid hunter & fisherman, from above the Arctic Circle in Canada, or the Bering Sea, to the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, if there was a chance to be outdoors, he was a part of it. He loved taking anyone hunting and fishing, especially kids, wither they were his own or not. Mike was a past president of the Dallas Gun Club, where at one time he was a Master Class Shooter. He was a Licensed Coast Guard Captain and fishing guide on Lake Texoma, a hobby that became full time after retirement.

Above all, Mike was a loving and dedicated husband, father and grandfather. His involvement and support for his family was immeasurable, and he rarely missed any activities they were involved in. Mike also enjoyed cooking, and there was never a group too large or small to reap his generosity! Mike was a member of the Waterview Church of Christ, where he and his family have worshipped for the past 26 years.
Mike is survived by his wife of 48 years, Judy Edens McKinney; daughter & son-in-law Beth Ann & Chris Montez of Plano, Texas; son & daughter-in-law Britt & Keri McKinney of Prosper, Texas; two grandchildren Hudson & Karli McKinney of Prosper, Texas; and his yellow lab Kermit. Mike is also survived by one cousin Patricia McKinney Melton of The Woodlands, Texas.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents Billy John & Ozelle Young McKinney; grandson Camden Alan McKinney; uncles & aunts James & Billie Faye Young McKinney, & Douglas & Katherine McKinney Marshall.

The family will have a visitation Friday August 19, 2016 from 6-8 pm in the chapel of the Waterview Church of Christ, 1409 N. Waterview, Richardson, Texas. A celebration of Mike’s life will be Saturday August 20, 2016 at 10am at the Waterview Church of Christ, 1409 N. Waterview, Richardson, Texas.

Graveside services will follow at 2:30pm at Carson Cemetery, Ector, Texas.