The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Rocellus McKinney Sr., age 83, passed away June 8, in Beaumont. He was born Oct. 23 1928 in Luling, to Claude and Lenora McKinney. He was a United States veteran serving in the Korean War and also the Air Force Reserves.

He worked as a lab tech for Dupont for 34 years, and was also a member of the IOOF Iris Lodge #286 for 65 years. He enjoyed leather working, and blacksmithing, was one of the founders of the West Orange Volunteer Fire Department, a Deputy Sherriff of Orange County and a Deputy Constable for Pct. 3 and had a total of 51 years in law enforcement. He was also a member of the Winfree Baptist Church in Bridge City.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Lenora McKinney, one son Rocellus McKinney Jr. and one brother, H.K. McKinney.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Shirley Ann McKinney; one son James Claude McKinney; one grandchild, Rocellus McKinney III; one brother Richard McKinney and wife Diane; one sister Claudde Barrett and husband John; also many, many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Dr. Shariq Ahmad and the nurses of Baptist Hospital of Beaumont, and the nurses of Health Care Dynamics of Buna.

A gathering of family and friends will begin on Monday, June 11, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the Forest Lawn Funeral Home.

Funeral services will begin on Tuesday, June 12, at 11:00 a.m. also at Forest Lawn. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

Condolences can be made at www.forestlawnmpfh.com.