Kean Randolph McKinney of Calvert City completed his tour of duty peacefully on April 22 at the Ray and Kay Eckstein Hospice Care Center in Paducah. Born on April 19, 1937, he was the only child of the late K.R. and Elizabeth McKinney of Smithland.
Kean was a graduate of Smithland High School and Murray State University where he earned his BS and MA degrees.
Mr. McKinney began his working career while still in high school and throughout summers worked as a lineman for the Smithland telephone company. Upon college graduation, he became a high school Civics teacher at Lone Oak High School. Upon moving to Calvert City, he became a lab technician at Air Reduction Chemicals Corporation and was an active real estate agent. Nine years later, Kean began his employment at Western Kentucky Rural Electric as Director of Member Services and advanced to Staff Assistant to the manager. In 1980 he moved his employment to LWD in Calvert City where he served as plant manager. After 15 years in this position, retirement beckoned as his wife, a teacher, was retiring.
During Mr. McKinney's professional life, he also served his country by serving as an Infantry officer in the U.S. Army in an active and reserve roll. Entering the army as a second Lieutenant he retired in 1988 as a Lieutenant Colonel after 28 years of service. Not only had Mr. McKinney been a Civics teacher, he was a civic leader. He served four terms as a Calvert City Councilman, member and chairman of Planning and Zoning Committee, little league softball coach, director of the Purchase Area Development board, director of the Governor's Economic Advisory, original director of the Calvert City Country Club, former Jaycee and served one term as Calvert City Mayor. He was called from retirement when he was appointed to serve the unfulfilled term of a first term councilman upon his untimely death.
Throughout Kean's life, he loved to farm. His cattle operation in Livingston County was his beloved hobby.
Kean was an active member of Calvert City First Baptist Church for 57 years. He served as Sunday school superintendent, teacher, and member of the finance committee.
Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Linda (Stephenson) McKinney of Calvert City, KY, daughters, Lisa Brooks, husband George of Owensboro, KY, Laurie Ellis, husband Brian of Danville, KY, 5 grandchildren; Madison Brooks Kabel, husband Jon of Hoschton, GA, Baker Ellis, wife Mary Holland of LaGrange, GA, Lauren Brooks Longnaker, husband Chase of Louisville, KY, Samuel Ellis of Danville, KY and Joseph Ellis of Birmingham, AL. 1 great-grandchild; Rylee Kabel.
A service celebrating the life of Kean Randolph McKinney will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, April 29, 2019 at First Baptist Church of Calvert City, Rev. Dr. Jim Ewing, Dr. Rick Cocke, and Hon. Lynn Jones officiating.
Inurnment will follow the service will full military honors in the town he called home in Calvert City Cemetery, Calvert City, KY.
Visitation will be held between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Monday, April 29, 2019 at First Baptist Church of Calvert City.
The family asks that memorial contributions be made to the First Baptist Church of Calvert City Building Fund, P.O. Box 366, Calvert City, KY 42029 or to Lourdes Hospice, P.O. Box 7700, Paducah, KY 42002.
