Roosevelt Henry McKinney

MCKINNEY, PROCTOR, DUNMORE, JACKSON, MACK

Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 3/21/2022 at 11:19:39

Roosevelt Henry McKinney, 81, of Iowa City, Iowa passed away Sunday February 27, 2022 following a courageous battle with lung cancer. The loss of Roosevelt will forever leave a void in his families heart but knowing he is in Gods care, free of all pain and suffering brings them comfort.

Roosevelt Henry McKinney, the oldest of four children, was born to Elois E. Proctor on December 19, 1940 in Corpus Christi, Texas. He shared a special relationship with his mother and had requested to be buried in close proximity to her.

Along with three younger siblings, Roosevelt attended segregated schools in Corpus Christi, Texas: Booker T Washington Elementary and Solomon M. Coles High School. As a student, he exhibited incredible gifts as an athlete in both basketball and football. However, his passion was always football. When Roosevelt graduated from high school in 1960, The University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico granted him a full scholarship and made Roosevelt their first black quarterback.
As a youth, Roosevelt and his siblings attended St. Paul United Methodist Church in Corpus Christi. This is the church where he was introduced to God. This church remained special to him for over half a century throughout a life of ups and downs, through periods of disappointments and battles. St. Paul planted in Roosevelt the seed of God’s love and his endless forgiving spirit.

While attending his high school reunion in 1991 a friend from Iowa City invited Roosevelt to “come ride back with me”. The two left Corpus Christi the very next day. Roosevelt has lived in Iowa City ever since that day, enjoyed what he always said was “the peace and quiet of this welcoming community”.

In the early 90’s, Roosevelt served as a deacon under Rev. Charels Evans in Baptized Believers in Christ Church. It was in Iowa City where Roosevelt met and married Ann Dingle on December 28, 1996. There they raised their four children and enjoyed being foster parents to numerous children throughout the community. Roosevelt was to other children, the dad he never had. He took his role seriously and spent quality time with the children in his home. He taught them about God’s love through the Word, he modeled for them healthy family relationships he encouraged them to have self-respect.

At the time of his death, Roosevelt was a long-standing dedicated member of Bethel A.M.E. Church of Iowa City where he served as a trustee. He was also a member of the Christian men’s organization, Promise Keepers. For a period of time, he served on the Board of Directors of The Iowa City Shelter. He was a parent representative for Head Start Waterfront where his four children attended preschool. Season after season Roosevelt Volunteered to assist with the Homeless Children’s Trust Christmas Party in Iowa City. He also helped to gather school supplies for underprivileged children in the great Iowa City community.

Although a man of modest means, Roosevelt believed in sharing and being charitable. He supported Boys and Girls Clubs of America, endangered wildlife, Tiger Preservation, Draft Horse Rescue, The Smithsonian Institute, The History Channel, and most importantly, the destitute man/woman on the street.

If you knew Roosevelt, you knew just how much love he had for his family, especially his children which was a love that cannot be described in words. His children are incredibly thankful for the life that their father gave them and for the opportunity to be his care givers in the final months of his life. Roosevelt also was an avid sports enthusiast and was a devoted Dallas Cowboys fan.

Roosevelt leaves behind his loving wife Ann McKinney to mourn and celebrate his life. In addition, he leaves behind six children Rhonda Gayle McKinney, Ron Vander Kelen McKinney, Max Melchizedek McKinney, Anna Marie Demelza McKinney, Hosanna Dingle McKinney and Princeton Roosevelt McKinney; three siblings and their spouses Waddell (Patricia) Dunmore, Bennell Jackson, and Stanley (Rita) Mack, and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Because he was a man driven to share God’s Word, because he was a man who enjoyed people, Roosevelt leaves behind a myriad of friends and countless acquaintances.

Roosevelt was preceded in death by his mother Elois Mack, grandmother Mary A. Proctor, and an infant son Reginald.

For such wonderful assistance, the family wishes to thank Iowa City Hospice, Dr. Rebecca David, members, and friends of Bethel A.M.E Church in Iowa City, Elizabeth Tate High School faculty, staff and students, Hawkeye Area Community Action Program, Head Start Coral Ridge, and Head Start Bloomington. His family is so appreciative and immensely thankful for donations given to the Roosevelt McKinney memorial through Bethel A.M.E. Church of Iowa City.

Roosevelt’s earthly chapter has concluded but his heavenly chapter has burst wide open. God has smiled on him!

Burial was held in Corpus Christi, Texas at Rose Hill Cemetery on March 9, 2022. A memorial service will be held April 30, 2022, at 11:00 AM at Bethel A.M.E. Church, 411 S Governor St, Iowa City, IA 52240. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to his family for a memorial fund that has been established in his name. Cards and memorials may be sent to The Roosevelt McKinney Family, c/o Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, PO Box 167, Iowa City, Iowa, 52244.

Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
 

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