Lee Bob McKinley

On a cool spring day, into this world came a blue-eyed baby boy named Lee Bob McKinley. He was born April 29, 1931, to Leroy McKinley and Nettie Ophelia (Christian) McKinley. His birthplace in Elmore City, Oklahoma was the oldest structure in Garvin County. It was a doctor's log cabin, which was later moved to the Pauls Valley Park until it burned down.

He grew up with his older brother, Johnny Mack, and younger sister Winnie Mae. He attended school in Elmore City until he was nine years old and then in the Klondike school district for a brief period. When he was in seventh grade, his parents moved the family to Watsonville, California in search of a better life during the depression. He lived the real-life version of The Grapes of Wrath. He and his siblings picked fruit and cut asparagus to help make money for the family. He attended school there until he graduated in 1949. He was a very popular young man there. He was also a track star in high school and went on to break a 20-year-old record for the 600-yard dash. He won a scholarship for his athletic ability.

After graduation, his family moved back to Oklahoma to live in Pauls Valley. He was very disappointed with the move but adjusted quickly. He chose to work in a car body shop instead of using the scholarship that he had won in California. Lee Bob loved his job and decided that working to rebuild damaged automobiles was what he wanted to do with his life.

Lee Bob married young and had two fine sons, Rocky and Tim and a baby daughter Deanna (pronounced Deena), who only lived for six days.

He worked very hard and in 1959, owned his own body shop in Davis, Oklahoma. He would often work through the night to provide for his family. From 1959 until 1986, he worked, owned, and operated his own shop. When his sons were old enough, they also worked in the body shop. The McKinley's were well known for the quality of work they provided. People from around the surrounding areas brought their damaged automobiles to Lee Bob's shop for repairs.

During the time that he had the body shop, Lee Bob provided services to the community by working with the Kiwanis where he earned a certificate for 25 years' perfect attendance. He also served as a volunteer firefighter for 20 years. He retired from the fire department in 1979.

Lee Bob later turned the body shop over to his son Rocky and moved to Broken Bow, Oklahoma. There he built and operated a large antique shop for 20 years. He later returned to Davis and started a four-wheeler business with Rocky and friend, Gary Pryor. Seven years later, they made it an antique dealership and ran that until he sold the shop.

Lee Bob worked hard all his life, but he still made time to enjoy life too. He taught his sons the correct way to handle guns and to hunt. He drove race cars and won nine championships at different racetracks from 1954 until 1970.

He loved to dance well into his 80s and 90s. Lee Bob married multiple times before finding the love of his life and soulmate in 2015. He and his wife loved to dance, and the young people were always amazed that the "old" couple could jitterbug. They would often clap and take pictures of them.

Lee Bob is survived by his wife Alta McKinley, a son Rocky McKinley (Kerry), and numerous stepchildren, his grandson Rowdy McKinley, granddaughter Amanda "Mandy" Harness, as well as eight great-grandchildren, numerous step-grandchildren, step great-grandchildren, and his sister Winnie Mae Johnson.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Leroy and Nettie McKinley, his daughter Deanna Irene McKinley, his son Tim Laroi McKinley, his brother Johnny Mack McKinley and his grandson Casey Laroy McKinley.

Funeral services for Lee Bob will be held at 10:00 AM, on Friday, Sept 18, 2026, at Central Church Fellowship of Believers, 45 Shepherd Hills Rd., Sulphur, OK 73086. Brothers Thomas J. Thompson and Tony Randol will officiate the service. Interment will follow at the Green Hill Cemetery, in Davis.