Anthony Mckinney

View Anthony's Video Tribute
McKinney, Anthony (Clifton) passed away peacefully in his home and joined his loving wife of 49 years, Barbara (Frederick) McKinney in Heaven on Dec. 16, 2018. He was born June 10, 1926 in Green Fly, KY (a rural region in Eastern KY) to Henry and Rebecca (Atkins) McKinney. Tony’s first job, at the age of 7, was plowing a neighboring farm’s fields. He liked to tell the story that “his Father made a dollar for sending him there, he and the mule each made a dollar for the hard work for a total of 3 dollars. A grand sum for the times.” His family moved to the Detroit area as a teenager. Being a hard working and ambitious man, he always had employment. He set pins in a bowling alley, made barrels, worked in car washes, to name a few. Anthony enlisted in the Army when he was 17 years old in 1944 and was stationed in the Pacific Theater. As a Staff Sgt., he was assigned to a Communication Div. After the war, he returned home to start a family with his first wife, Lilly Glen. A tragic car accident left Tony a young widower. He then met and married the love of his life, Barbara. They married Sept. 17, 1949 and went on to raise six children. After marriage, Tony was employed at General Chemicals, then Allied Chemicals where he had the opportunity to become a licensed Stationary Engineer. He attended HFCC where he received an additional certification to add to his Journeyman’s license. At that time, he became employed by Ford Motor Co. at the World Headquarters, until his retirement in 1991 at the age of 65. After retirement, he traveled extensively trough the USA, Canada and Mexico. He was an adventurous man, he herded cattle in his 60’s, learned to team sled and scuba dive in his 70’s. An active member in AA for 45 years, he inspired and consulted with many people. He was an inspiration to all and will be sorely missed. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, Love leaves a memory no one can steal--Irish Proverb. Beloved husband of the late Barbara. Loving father of Brenda (Ed) Tuttle, Donald (Bonita) McKinney, Nancy Barnes, Clifton (Amanda) McKinney, Kenneth (Lynn Rinehart) McKinney and Rich (Barb Thompson) McKinney. Also survived by his grandchildren; great grandchildren; great great grandchildren; his siblings Cheryl (the late Randall) Evans, Henry McKinney, Eugene (Kim) McKinney and Elizabeth (Gary) Blankenship; many family and friends. Visitation Wednesday, 3-9 PM and Thursday 12-9 PM at the Trenton Chapel of The Martenson Family of Funeral Homes, 3200 West Rd. In state Friday, 11 AM until funeral service, 12 noon at St. Philip Lutheran Church, 1790 Fort St., Trenton. Interment, Michigan Memorial Park. Contributions in memory of Anthony's life may be made to Downriver For Veterans