On September 18, 2023, Dr. Doyle Ryburn McKinney passed away peacefully in his apartment at South Wind Heights Retirement Residence in Jonesboro.

He lived a long and productive life of nearly 93 years. He served in the United States Air Force for 32 years and another 20 years in public education administration. He was a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam Wars. After a long journey of faithfully serving God, country, and family, he is now enjoying his eternal reward in heaven with Jesus.

Doyle, the eldest of six children was born on November 10, 1930 to Russell and Alma McKinney in Manson. A few months after graduating from Delaplaine High School in 1949, he joined the United States Air Force where he eventually served his country faithfully for nearly 32 years. During a short separation from the USAF, Doyle attended Jonesboro Business College. He met Jan Barber of the Bay/Lake City area, and they were married on October 12, 1956. Shortly afterwards, Doyle rejoined the Air Force where he and Jan became a career military family, along with their children, David and Karen.

The many locations where Doyle served in the USAF included bases overseas in Guam and Thailand as well as bases in Louisiana, Texas, Arizona, and California. He particularly enjoyed his service at Vandenberg Air Force Base (now a Space Force base) near Lompoc, California where he was assigned for 13 years. At Vandenberg, as an electronics and radio communications specialist, he worked alongside both military and civilian personnel in the early development of the technologies that support the guidance of ballistic missiles as well as the tracking of satellites. While serving in the USAF, Doyle earned an associate's degree from Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, CA as well as a bachelor's degree from Chapman University in Orange, CA.

After his years of active duty in the USAF, Doyle and the family moved back to Jonesboro. He continued his educational pursuits and earned both a master's degree and specialist degree from Arkansas State University. He also began his new career in public education. After serving for several years in the special education department at Trumann High School, Doyle, along with his colleague Jack Bower, established the Craighead County Educational Cooperative. Through the cooperative, both Doyle and Jack provided testing, training, and support services to the schools of Craighead County, particularly in the area of special education. Other colleagues joined the cooperative as the venture expanded into other services such as alternative education.

In the mid-1990's, Doyle retired from public education but continued to work part-time. He was a very active member of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Jonesboro. His retirement also allowed him to have more time to devote to his loving wife, Jan who was fighting a courageous battle with breast cancer. He was her greatest advocate during those difficult years. After nearly 44 years of marriage to Doyle, Jan entered her rest with Jesus on March 2, 2000.

Later, Doyle moved to Walnut Ridge where he married Pat Erskine. During his years in Lawrence County, he served as the volunteer director of the county's literacy council and also was active with the United States Corps of Chaplains as well as the Gideons. He was a member of the Commemorative Air Force and an avid amateur radio enthusiast. Doyle and Pat also enjoyed constant activities with friends, family, and fellow church members as well as activities at their health club. It was also during these years in Walnut Ridge that Doyle earned his doctorate from California Southern University. After Pat passed away in 2017, Doyle moved back to Jonesboro and became a resident of South Wind Heights. He made many friends during his years at South Wind.

Although Doyle had many pursuits in life that occupied his time, his number one passion was his family. In addition to his happy marriages, he deeply loved his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, as well as his extended family. He truly saw his family as the crown jewel of his life.

Doyle was predeceased by his first wife, Jan Barber McKinney, and his second wife, Pat Erskine McKinney as well as his parents, Russell and Alma McKinney and his brother, Jesse McKinney.

He is survived by his children, Dr. David (Carla) McKinney of Jonesboro and Karen (Ed) Underwood of Phoenix, Arizona; his stepson, Rick Ladner of Mobile, Alabama; his grandchildren, Paul (Dr. Kelly) McKinney of Newport, Amy (John) Murphy of Jonesboro, Heather (Jonathan) Stanley of Las Vegas, Nevada, Kevin (Shelbie) Underwood of Ozark, Missouri, and Melody (Rob) Rainwater of Walnut Ridge; great-grandchildren are Joshua McKinney, Elizabeth Murphy, Helen Underwood, Michael Murphy, Mary Emma McKinney, Reed Rainwater, and Wyatt Rainwater; his brother, James McKinney of Jonesboro and his sisters, Joan Sellers of Fayetteville, June Kelm of White Oak, Texas, and Elizabeth (Larry) Garner of Jonesboro and numerous nephews and nieces.

Visitation will be held at the chapel of Gregg-Langford-Bookout Funeral Home in Jonesboro on Monday, September 25 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm followed by the service at 2:00 pm with Craig Miller and Paul McKinney officiating. Burial will follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Rob Rainwater, John Murphy, Colby Miller, Scott Watkins, Greg Beavers, and Caden Beavers. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Miller, Dale Miller, Kevin Underwood, Jonathan Stanley, Norris Watkins, and Rick Ladner.

In lieu of flowers, lasting memorial gifts to the Gideons International are encouraged.