of Little Rock, AR
July 7, 1951 - July 26, 2021
Donald Park McKinley, 70, went to be with God July 26, 2021. Don was born July 7, 1951, in Little Rock, Arkansas to Park and Hazel McKinley. Don was the owner of Looney's Tire Service, Inc., and a proud member of the Cathedral of Saint Andrew. His top priorities were God and family. His children could tell you many stories of family vacations, weekends filled with fun activities, and surprise dinner outings. He tirelessly played with each child and grandchild and was present for their school activities, ball games, and dance recitals.
Don had a happy, carefree youth growing up in an East End neighborhood. His hobbies included working on electric trains, model airplanes, and riding motorcycles with his dad and nephews. He was the life of family reunions. Never calling attention to himself, few people knew that he taught himself to play piano by ear, and even played an organ in a rock band in his younger years. Don attended Little Rock public schools, graduating Little Rock Central High in 1969 and attending LRU. He married Cathy Westfall Cavin, on December 1, 1979. She was his best friend and the love of his life.
Together, Don and Cathy raised three children. Don appreciated life and made happy memories for his family in every possible way. He made life entertaining and full of excitement. He kept his hobbies from his youth and added more with his children and grandchildren. They have the best memories of him working on projects, duck hunting, riding four-wheelers, shooting guns and fireworks, playing arcade games, and playing basketball. He was always ready to have fun and could best be described as ''a big kid.''
Don was a selfless son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, godfather, and friend. As a local business owner, he valued his hard-working team and loyal customers at Looney's Tire. His work-family and friends will miss his fun disposition and solid work ethic.
Don is preceded in death by his parents; brothers Robert and Infant McKinley; sister, Dorothy Dill; and mother-in-law, Mary Cavin. He is survived by his loving wife, Cathy W. Cavin McKinley; children, Jeremy McKinley (Meredith), Tara Edmondson (Eric), Lindsey McKinley; grandchildren, Parker and Owen McKinley, Olivia and (soon to arrive) Ella Edmondson, Evan and Christopher McKinley; sister, Bettie Leonard; brothers-in-law, Earnie Cavin (Shanela) and Jimmie Cavin (Linda) and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins that he loved dearly.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Don's memory to the Cathedral of St. Andrew's Music Department, 617 Louisiana, Little Rock 72202 or St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis, TN 38105.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Thursday, July 29, in the chapel of Roller Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway. Rosary will be at 1:30 pm Friday, July 30 at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew, Little Rock. Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Rev. Joseph de Orbegozo at 2:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew, Little Rock.
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35 Condolence(s)
Mack Edmondson
Monday, August 2, 2021
So sorry. Don was an awesome father, grandfather, husband, friend, brother (biker term). He enjoyed life and lived it to the max. Peace, love, joy, and happiness for you family â¤ï¸
Goldie and Vickie Moore
Saturday, July 31, 2021
Cathy, Goldie and I are truly sorry for your loss. We are praying for you and your family.
Kathy corzine
Saturday, July 31, 2021
I am so sorry to hear about Don, and thinking of you and your family, I always enjoyed hearing Don stories at The Hair Shoppe. Sending prayers to help you along the journey with strength.
Troy andCaroline Biggs
Friday, July 30, 2021
Cathy and family
We were totally shocked and saddened to hear of Don’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
JOYCE HILL
Friday, July 30, 2021
I WAS SO SHOCKED TO SEE DON'S OBITUARY ON FACEBOOK. I WORKED WITH DON FOR ABOUT 15 YEARS AT LOONEY'S TIRE. WE ALWAYS GOT ALONG AND SAW EYE TO EYE ON LOTS OF THINGS. I PRAY FOR CATHY AND FAMILY TO KEEP HIS SPIRIT ALIVE BY TELLING OF HIS STORIES OF LIFE TO HIS CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILLDREN. LIVE IN HIS MEMORY. MAY GOD GIVE YOU ALL THE COURAGE TO KEEP GOING, AS HE WOULD HAVE WANTED.
Rita & Wayne Gruber
Friday, July 30, 2021
Wayne and I were saddened to learn of Don’s death. Wayne had talked to him recently and it came as a shock to hear about it. Our prayers are with Cathy and the entire family. Rita & Wayne Gruber
Herb and Charlotte Thompson
Friday, July 30, 2021
May God’s peace be with you all. Hugs and prayers as you move forward with life without your beloved Don.
Mike Howard
Friday, July 30, 2021
Prayers for your family Kathy! I was so shocked and saddened to hear of Don’s passing. I can still hear Don’s laughter when he did something silly.
Grant & Adam Tubbs
Friday, July 30, 2021
We pray for peace for all. You all are very important to us. We love you all very much. Don will be greatly missed.
Zach and Ami Wirges
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Cathy, we are absolutely heartbroken for you and your family. We love you so very much. Thank you for taking such good care of my family for all of these years. I will miss my talks with Don, he was always so kind and generous to me. We love you so much and will be praying for you and the family.
Britt & Becky Wimberly
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Cathy, we are saddened to hear of Don’s passing. May God comfort you and your family.
Jamie Ewing
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Cathy, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May the peace of God be with you during this time.
Jose Gariba
Thursday, July 29, 2021
He will forever be in our hearts
Brandy Watson Amberg
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Ms. Cathy, Jeremy, Tara, Lindsey and family,
My words are truly inadequate at this time. I will be lifting each one of you up in my prayers for comfort and peace during this difficult time.
Love you guys!
Brandy
Maureen and Tom McCamey
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers have been with your entire family during this challenging journey. We will continue to have in our thoughts and prayers during this time.
Keith and Camellia Hall
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Sorry for your loss.
Prayers and thoughts with you.
Keith and Camellia
Tamara Henry
Thursday, July 29, 2021
I am so sorry for your loss, your family is in my prayers
Keith Morvant
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Peace be with you Don.
Entergy friend
Caresse
Thursday, July 29, 2021
So sorry for your loss.
Praying for all
Love you guys
Caresse
Leah Baker
Thursday, July 29, 2021
I’m so sorry to hear this. I had so many good memories of hanging out at Loonies with my dad, Tim Baker and my uncle, John Humphrey (who worked under Don). Even though my dad wasn’t close with that side of the family I still enjoyed the visits I had with great uncle Don. He would always keep me in his office and tell me stories about my dad as a kid. He was a great man and so fun to be around. The world lost a great man. But our family that has already left are surely happy to greet him on the other side. Love you all and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Steve Gray
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Great Boss,Friend, and all about family and friends .
We all will miss him deaply.
Shawn Hallman
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Dear Cathy, Jeremy, Tara, Lindsey, and family, we are so sorry for your loss. Please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. We will miss uncle Don dearly. We loved him very much.
Love and prayers,
Shawn, Mark and Rebekah Hallman
Sarah Crismon
Thursday, July 29, 2021
My prayers go out to Lindsey and her family.
Toni & Eric McDuffie
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Cathy and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Don was such a sweet man. We are grateful to have known him even for such a short time. We are here for you guys.
Toni, Tyler and Eric McDuffie
Tina Davis
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Sending your family love & prayers. Some of Abbie’s fondest memories are the times she spent with your family. I am so grateful for all of the love and joy your family shared with her. She thinks the world of you guys. Deepest sympathy, Tina & Phillip Davis
Rose Harvey
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Cathy, so sorry for your loss. Prayers going out to you and the family.
Rose
Vickie Reid
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Jeremy and Meredith so sorry for your loss I went to school with your dad love you guys. Thought and prayers for your family
Nikki Cotton
Thursday, July 29, 2021
I’m so heartbroken to hear this. I’m sending my love to the entire family. I know he will be missed greatly by all.
Melody Mellinger
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Cathy I am so very sorry for you and your family. I know how much you loved Don and how much you will miss him. My love and prayers for you and the family.
David sSHirley smith
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Our thoughts and Prayers are with the family. Don is in Gods hands he will be missed. Jeremy and Merideth Mckinley my deepest condolences love you very much
Peggy Hearne
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Cathy, On my knees for you. Prayers won’t stop. Love you, Peggy Hearne
Cathy McGlothin
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Cathy, I'm so very sorry for your lost. Know you all are a close family and pray God will lead you through this valley.
Mary Ellen Ewing
Thursday, July 29, 2021
So sorry for your loss. Will be praying for your family. Miss you Aunt Cathy!
David and Debbie Pretty
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Cathy and family, David and I are truly sorry for your loss. We always enjoyed visiting with you and Don. He was always friendly and was a pleasure to be around. I'm sure he'll be greatly missed by his family and friends. We'll keep all of you in our prayers. ðŸ™
David and Debbie Pretty
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Cathy and family, David and I are truly sorry for your loss. We always enjoyed visiting with you and Don. He was always friendly and was a pleasure to be around. I'm sure he'll be greatly missed by his family and friends. We'll keep all of you in our prayers. ðŸ™