Roy A. McKinney

Roy Arson McKinney, age 86, passed away peacefully in Dalhart, Texas. He was born on September 21, 1939, to Floyd A. and Leona McKinney. Roy was a member of Temple Baptist Church.

Roy left home at the age of 15 and moved to Farmington, New Mexico, where he began his lifelong habit of hard work by driving a truck. Soon after, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he proudly served as a Corporal with the Military Police while stationed in Germany.

After his service, Roy married the love of his life, Brenda McKinney, on September 21, 1961. The couple first made their home in California, later moving to El Paso, Texas, in 1962, where their first son, Aldron was born. Over the years, their family grew to include four more sons — Arlen, Allen, Aaron, and eventually their nephew Bob, who they raised as their own.

Roy worked as a painting contractor, ran a service station for Standard Oil, and served as a guard for the Phelps Dodge Refinery. In 1969, Brenda and Roy returned to Tucumcari, New Mexico, where he became a police officer for three years while also working part time for the U.S. Postal Service. He eventually transitioned to full-time with the USPS and retired in 1990.

In the 1970s, Roy became a Kirby vacuum distributor, a business he operated successfully for more than 30 years. He also worked in construction and began his lifelong involvement in real estate. In 2010, he purchased and operated the Route 66 Smoke Shop,

Roy will be remembered for his strong work ethic, sense of humor, and generous spirit to everyone. He loved his family deeply and his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids were his pride and joy.

Roy was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Brenda McKinney; one grandchild, Quinn McKinney; and two great-grandchildren, Blakely Lacy and Jentry McKinney.

Roy is survived by his sons: Aldron McKinney and wife Deanne of Tucumcari, NM; Arlen McKinney and wife Laura of Hartley; TX, Bob Helker and wife Debbie of Amarillo, TX; Allen McKinney of Tucumcari, NM; and Aaron McKinney and wife Suzy of Tucumcari, NM.

He is also survived by twelve grandchildren: Even McKinney and wife Tiffany of Dalhart, TX; Savannah Jackson of Texas; Carrie Bomar of Tucumcari, NM; Cody Curtright of Los Lunas, NM; Kelsey Idsinga and husband Derek of Tucumcari, NM; Taylor McKinney and wife Jordin of Amarillo, TX; McKayla Ramsey and husband Ian of Alamogordo, NM; Branden McKinney and wife Sue of San Antonio, TX; Misty Pendley and husband Jake of Tucumcari, NM; Tysen McKinney of Portales, NM; Newt McKinney and wife Catey of Hartley, TX; and Megan Preciado and husband Johnathon of Tucumcari, NM.

Funeral services for Roy will be held on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Tucumcari, New Mexico, followed by burial at Tucumcari Memorial Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Even McKinney, Taylor McKinney, Newt McKinney, Tysen McKinney, Branden McKinney, and Cody Curtright. 

Honorary pallbearers are all family and friends.