Lee was born in McMinville, Oregon and grew up with the ocean as his backyard. Before Lee graduated from high school, he learned to fly an amphibious plane. He continued that passion as a navy pilot, flying jets off aircraft carriers. Lee saw much of the world while serving his country in the Korean War.
Upon returning home Lee married Donna Taggart McKinney (Tag), who passed away in 1988 and they started a family of two daughters. Lee challenged himself to go to college in his 30s to become a professional engineer. He accomplished this while working at Rocky Flats and commuting from his home in Littleton.
Lee led a full life and had a lust for living. He was a competitive water skier, master fly fisherman and avid gardener & a true rock-hound.
He snow-skied until the age of 75. He loved and respected the outdoors and was a true Bronco fan. Lee loved travel. He and Bev were blessed to see much of the world.
Lee’s passion in life was minerals. Lee was a member and became a life member of Littleton Gem and Mineral Club in 1995. He took many friends to dig on his mining claims and led many Littleton Gem and Mineral field trips in addition to writing a book on the subject with Tag and building his own display cabinets to house his mineral collection.
Lee is survived by his best friend and wife, Beverly, two loving daughters, Lou and Brenda, two special granddaughters, Stephanie and Jennifer and husband, Joey and two adored great grandchildren, Kamrin and Payton.
Paraphrased from Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for Lee,
" declares the Lord, "
plans to prosper Lee and not to harm Lee,
plans to give Lee hope and a future."
In lieu of flowers a memorial may be made to a memorial fund (yet to be determined) to honor Lee’s legacy.
__________________________
FUN FOR LEE!! KILROY HAS BEEN HERE
For years Lee smoked 'stogy cigars'. He would be digging a hole at the claim hoping to find minerals. While digging he would drop a cigar butt or two in the hole. When finished he would fill up the hole.
Later, and it has happened years later, someone would come by, think there might be more minerals left in the hole, dig it all out; find a 'stogy butt' and know "McKinney has been here".
___________________________
Upon returning home Lee married Donna Taggart McKinney (Tag), who passed away in 1988 and they started a family of two daughters. Lee challenged himself to go to college in his 30s to become a professional engineer. He accomplished this while working at Rocky Flats and commuting from his home in Littleton.
Lee led a full life and had a lust for living. He was a competitive water skier, master fly fisherman and avid gardener & a true rock-hound.
He snow-skied until the age of 75. He loved and respected the outdoors and was a true Bronco fan. Lee loved travel. He and Bev were blessed to see much of the world.
Lee’s passion in life was minerals. Lee was a member and became a life member of Littleton Gem and Mineral Club in 1995. He took many friends to dig on his mining claims and led many Littleton Gem and Mineral field trips in addition to writing a book on the subject with Tag and building his own display cabinets to house his mineral collection.
Lee is survived by his best friend and wife, Beverly, two loving daughters, Lou and Brenda, two special granddaughters, Stephanie and Jennifer and husband, Joey and two adored great grandchildren, Kamrin and Payton.
Paraphrased from Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for Lee,
" declares the Lord, "
plans to prosper Lee and not to harm Lee,
plans to give Lee hope and a future."
In lieu of flowers a memorial may be made to a memorial fund (yet to be determined) to honor Lee’s legacy.
__________________________
FUN FOR LEE!! KILROY HAS BEEN HERE
For years Lee smoked 'stogy cigars'. He would be digging a hole at the claim hoping to find minerals. While digging he would drop a cigar butt or two in the hole. When finished he would fill up the hole.
Later, and it has happened years later, someone would come by, think there might be more minerals left in the hole, dig it all out; find a 'stogy butt' and know "McKinney has been here".
___________________________
Lee was born in McMinville, Oregon and grew up with the ocean as his backyard. Before Lee graduated from high school, he learned to fly an amphibious plane. He continued that passion as a navy pilot, flying jets off aircraft carriers. Lee saw much of the world while serving his country in the Korean War.
Upon returning home Lee married Donna Taggart McKinney (Tag), who passed away in 1988 and they started a family of two daughters. Lee challenged himself to go to college in his 30s to become a professional engineer. He accomplished this while working at Rocky Flats and commuting from his home in Littleton.
Lee led a full life and had a lust for living. He was a competitive water skier, master fly fisherman and avid gardener & a true rock-hound.
He snow-skied until the age of 75. He loved and respected the outdoors and was a true Bronco fan. Lee loved travel. He and Bev were blessed to see much of the world.
Lee’s passion in life was minerals. Lee was a member and became a life member of Littleton Gem and Mineral Club in 1995. He took many friends to dig on his mining claims and led many Littleton Gem and Mineral field trips in addition to writing a book on the subject with Tag and building his own display cabinets to house his mineral collection.
Lee is survived by his best friend and wife, Beverly, two loving daughters, Lou and Brenda, two special granddaughters, Stephanie and Jennifer and husband, Joey and two adored great grandchildren, Kamrin and Payton.
Paraphrased from Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for Lee,
" declares the Lord, "
plans to prosper Lee and not to harm Lee,
plans to give Lee hope and a future."
In lieu of flowers a memorial may be made to a memorial fund (yet to be determined) to honor Lee’s legacy.
__________________________
FUN FOR LEE!! KILROY HAS BEEN HERE
For years Lee smoked 'stogy cigars'. He would be digging a hole at the claim hoping to find minerals. While digging he would drop a cigar butt or two in the hole. When finished he would fill up the hole.
Later, and it has happened years later, someone would come by, think there might be more minerals left in the hole, dig it all out; find a 'stogy butt' and know "McKinney has been here".
___________________________
Upon returning home Lee married Donna Taggart McKinney (Tag), who passed away in 1988 and they started a family of two daughters. Lee challenged himself to go to college in his 30s to become a professional engineer. He accomplished this while working at Rocky Flats and commuting from his home in Littleton.
Lee led a full life and had a lust for living. He was a competitive water skier, master fly fisherman and avid gardener & a true rock-hound.
He snow-skied until the age of 75. He loved and respected the outdoors and was a true Bronco fan. Lee loved travel. He and Bev were blessed to see much of the world.
Lee’s passion in life was minerals. Lee was a member and became a life member of Littleton Gem and Mineral Club in 1995. He took many friends to dig on his mining claims and led many Littleton Gem and Mineral field trips in addition to writing a book on the subject with Tag and building his own display cabinets to house his mineral collection.
Lee is survived by his best friend and wife, Beverly, two loving daughters, Lou and Brenda, two special granddaughters, Stephanie and Jennifer and husband, Joey and two adored great grandchildren, Kamrin and Payton.
Paraphrased from Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for Lee,
" declares the Lord, "
plans to prosper Lee and not to harm Lee,
plans to give Lee hope and a future."
In lieu of flowers a memorial may be made to a memorial fund (yet to be determined) to honor Lee’s legacy.
__________________________
FUN FOR LEE!! KILROY HAS BEEN HERE
For years Lee smoked 'stogy cigars'. He would be digging a hole at the claim hoping to find minerals. While digging he would drop a cigar butt or two in the hole. When finished he would fill up the hole.
Later, and it has happened years later, someone would come by, think there might be more minerals left in the hole, dig it all out; find a 'stogy butt' and know "McKinney has been here".
___________________________
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