Birth date: Nov 20, 1936 Death date: Aug 21, 2024
Born: November 20, 1936, in Texas Died: August 21, 2024, in California Charles Edward McKinney, a cherished resident of Alameda County for over 40 years, passed away on August 21, 2024. He was a dedicated Doctor of Veterinary Med Read Obituary
A very special person came into the world on November 20th. Remembering my friend today and always.
Today is Easter and I always think of Dr. McKinney on Easter. It was his new year. While he still could, he would go to a top of a mountain somewhere, I can't quite remember where to watch the sunrise every Easter. His habit of starting the new year with Easter became my habit and I miss not being able to call him to wish him a Happy Easter and a Happy New Year too...
I want to say a little more about Dr. McKinney and remember all of the things that I think about when I think of him. He was a biker, as in trail, street biker and rode his bike until it was too hard on his knees. I guess he found salsa dancing as a good replacement and delighted in going to salsa dates. I never saw him in action, but I know that he was good at it and I can just imagine the big grin on his face as he moved to the music. He was also someone who had traveled spending time in Brazil in the Peace Corps, a trip to France, and best of all a trip to Africa with his daughter. He was a big fan of professional basketball. GO Warriors... where he would watch the games on TV or attend the games in person. He played the piano and his favorite flowers were gladiolas. He was a pretty good chef, being especially proud of his borscht. He was a veterinarian who graduated from UC Davis, but also dipped his toes into teaching at Chabot College for a bit. He had an affinity for cats, loved trains and when he said good-bye he would always sign off with a "Ciao."
There is so much more and an impossible task to describe or encapsulate everything that made Dr. McKinney, Dr. McKinney. I will always carry the memories of one so very dear to me, for someone whose wisdom and humor will remain a little light that can never be extinguished. Dr. McKinney was one of maybe 10 people in my whole life that has left a deep impression. He is someone who I have admired greatly and am so grateful for having known. He truly touched my life in a way that makes me feel like I was really lucky to have been a part of his life and for him to have been a part of mine.
With love,
10 B Kelly
I met Dr. McKinney while working at Lake Vet back in the 80s. He became a friend and someone who will always mean the world to me. He was one of those people, one of a very few who really are special. He was magnetic, a dazzler. He combined intelligence with keen observation coupled with humor and wit. There was no one else who could turn a phrase quite like he could to the point that I would often write down something that he said so that I could remember it.
His warmth and nurturing qualities made him a perfect fit for veterinary medicine, He was good with animals and he was good with people. Wherever he went, he would immediately become the center of attention. He's the guy you'd want to talk to, to get to know better. His smile was as wide as a mile, his laugh contagious, and the twinkle in his eye, well he was a lot of people's favorite. He certainly was in the top ten people that have made an everlasting impression on me, one of the ten most important souls to have graced my life.
Over the years, we were not as much in touch, but the care, respect and admiration were never diminished. I am heartbroken that this bigger than life gentle man has left this world. I have missed him for a long time and will miss him forever more. Dr. McKinney was and is and will always be near to my heart. I am grateful for having been lucky enough to have known him and to have called him friend.
I had reached out today to wish him a Happy Birthday and am so saddened to have learned that he passed a few months ago. Still, the Happy Birthday wishes are sent his way, and I hope with all my heart he receives them. I hope he knows that he is held dearly by one who never forgets his birthday and never will.
I met Dr. McKinney while working at Central Vet Hospital back in the mid 1980’s. He was a pleasure to work with and always had great advice . He was so proud of his children and talked about them a lot. He was always laughing, loved his job and ran on his lunch breaks. He kept us youngsters in line and we had great work parties! Those were great times. Though I left after 8 years at Central, We still kept in touch for over 25 years with Christmas cards and met for a few dinners with Carol and Alan. So sorry to hear of his passing . He was very special and kind to his animal patients and to all those who met him.
