Herman L. McKinney, of Seattle, passed peacefully from this life on April 11, 2014. He was 75.
Born October 2, 1938, to the late Herman L. and Ozella (Harris) McKinney, in Kiamichi, Oklahoma, as a young child, Mr. McKinney and his family moved to Vancouver, Washington. He graduated from Washington High School in Portland, Oregon, received a BA in Sociology from the University of Oregon and a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Washington. He married Norma (Marks) McKinney in 1959, and they lived together in Portland and Astoria, Oregon, before relocating to Seattle in 1967.
Mr. McKinney was a dedicated social worker, who passionately committed his life to the service of others. His life’s work included advocacy and recruitment for diversity in graduate education as an Assistant Dean at the University of Washington, small business ownership as President of Extra Hands, a residential cleaning service, and proponent for equal opportunity in corporate hiring as Director of the Urban Enterprise Center at the downtown Seattle Chamber of Commerce. Mr. McKinney was a co-founder of the Breakfast Group, an association of African American male professionals providing mentorship to young Black males. He was an active member of First AME church, and the Alpha Phi Alpha and Alpha Omicron Boule Fraternities. He was an avid golfer and loved to travel. Mr. McKinney received numerous commendations, awards, and tributes to his role as a community servant and leader; he was a loving husband, father, mentor, role model and friend.
Herman is survived by his wife, Norma, three children, Kristal McKinney Varnado, Kevin McKinney and Kent (Angela) McKinney of Seattle, eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and countless extended family members.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Breakfast Group.
A viewing will be held from 10am-4pm on April 24, 2014 at Bonney-Watson Funeral Home, 1732 Broadway, Seattle. Funeral services will be held on April 25, 2014 at 11a.m. at First AME Church-1522 14th Avenue, Seattle.
