Elvin "Rudy" McKinnie

Rudy McKinnie passed away at home on November 18, 2024. He was born in Hampton, Arkansas to Amos and Etta McKinnie. Rudy attended and graduated from El Dorado High School in El Dorado Arkansas. The day after graduation he was posted by the U.S. Army to the Aleutian Islands.

Upon discharge from the Army, he moved back to El Dorado and began playing semi-professional baseball. That eventually turned into a spring training trip with the Chicago White Sox in Florida. A shattered ankle ended that dream and he relocated to Dallas, Texas.

In Dallas, he met and married Mary Arnold. He was still married to Mary at the time of his death. They were married more than 70 years. Rudy remained in Dallas, and worked his entire career in the plumbing supply wholesale business retiring from Dillard Associates.

Rudy was an active member at Colonial Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, a financial chairperson as well as in other capacities.

He enjoyed traveling with Mary and other friends both internationally as well as across America. He particularly enjoyed visiting Alaska and Hawaii. He enjoyed reading about Texas history and learning about different small towns and their founding.

Rudy is survived by his wife of over 70 years, Mary Arnold McKinnie; his son, Brian McKinnie of Dallas, and his daughter, Diane Wright of Houston. He is survived by two grandchildren; Natalie Wright of Baltimore, Maryland and Paige Wright of Houston. He is also survived by one brother-in-law, Frank Arnold and a host of nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 2:00 at Anderson-Clayton-Gonzalez Funeral Home at 1111 Military Parkway, Mesquite TX.

The family would like to thank Dallas Hospice for their dedication and care. Mary and Diane would like to offer a special thank you to Brian for his devotion to caring for his dad over the last weeks.