McKinney
Class of 1966
Ronald Lewis McKinney (1944-1993)
Ronald Lewis McKinney (and his twin brother Donald Clarence McKinney) were born on January 31, 1944 in McDowell County, North Carolina. Ron died of lung cancer on April 21, 1993 in Clay County, Florida. He came to the University of Virginia from Gretna, Virginia and later settled in Orange Park, Florida. He graduated from the College of Art and Science in 1966.
He joined Beta Upsilon Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi on September 18, 1963 (BU #0058). While at the University he participated in the following activities: Navy Reserve Officers Training Corp (NROTC), Trident Society (President); Jefferson Literary and Debating Society; Lawn Resident, German Club, and Judiciary Committee. He had a career as a pilot with the U. S. Navy. -- Compiled by Russell Haden Davis (Class of 1962) _________________________________________________________________________________________________ The following are the remarks made by Herb Long at the BU 50th Anniversary Necrology held at UVa Chapel on April 10, 2011. Ron McKinney was from Gretna Va. Ron and I were in the same pledge class as was his brother,Don. I think we were both competitive and this led us to an early friendship - and to working to retaliate against the brothers as pledges! He is remembered as fun as well as smart.
He liked to party! And did well with the ladies. He was fun to be around - his laugh was this funny little giggle I will always remember. Ron was Navy through and through. He was president of the Navy's Trident Society here at the University. And his career after the University was serving our country. He was a Navy flier. He and both of his brothers were all in Vietnam at the same time. Ron retired as a commander. Unfortunately, he died at an early age (49). He is survived by a wife [Kathy] and a son and daughter. He would be happy - his daughter is a nurse ( and Lt. Commander) in the Navy. --Herb Long
