Charles H. McKinney, loving husband and father

Charles "Charlie" Herbert McKinney, 91, of Dewey Beach, passed away at home Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. Born Nov. 28, 1924, family lore was that he was born in a cornfield on the family farm in Bridgeville with the assistance of Mrs. Short. Son of the late Charles and Matilda (Witzke) McKinney, the family moved to Rehoboth in the mid-1930s to farm and supply produce to the local community.

Charles served his country during the war as a civilian mechanic at Fort Miles, working on anything from artillery pieces to trucks and cars. He developed a love of all things mechanical and used that talent throughout his lifetime to support his family. He started out with a service station and repair shop, moved on to a Nash Rambler Automobile Dealership, and later expanded into other types of business ventures.
Charles met Georgia Parris on Rehoboth Avenue when he fixed her car at his garage. That repair job ended in Charles losing a bet, and gaining a lifetime soul mate as the wife and mother of seven children in the McKinney family.

After marrying Georgia in 1948, they worked together and continued to expand the service station work, and added a bus station, motel, apartments and various other rental properties to the family operations. In April, 1966 they purchased Pier Point Marina in Dewey Beach where they worked side-by-side along with their children to expand and provide marine services to the growing resort community. They sold and serviced many different types of boats and motors, rented marina slips and developed many close friendships with customers who continued to return year after year.

Charles played an active role in helping to organize community and business leaders which led to the incorporation of Dewey Beach. While his endeavors placed him in a position to develop many business relationships, he put great stock in friendship and loyalty, and held those in the highest regard. He valued his friends, and if anyone was in need he could be depended upon to help.

Charles and Georgia enjoyed touring the country in their RV, and after retirement began spending winters in Cape Coral, Fla. They stayed busy visiting friends and family members from the Keys to Delaware. He always returned, however, to Delaware for the busy summer season.

Charles loved fishing, boating, clamming, crabbing and sailing on the "Born Free." He enjoyed reading political biographies, and often played cards with friends and family. In later years, he especially enjoyed card games with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Charles was a 65-year Master Mason with Jefferson Lodge No. 15 AF & AM of Lewes, having been raised in May of 1951, and was a 60-year member of the Evergreen Forest No. 49-Tall Cedars of Lebanon. He was also one of the first members of the Dewey Beach Lions Club.

In addition to his parents, Mr. McKinney was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Georgia; his son Gene; and his siblings Arthur, Grace, Agnes, Lula, Bessie and Sarah. He is survived by his sons: Homer, Charles Jr., Donald and Ronald; his daughters: Carla and Myra; and his brother, Clarence “Buck" McKinney. He was also Pop Pop to 16 grandchildren and Great Pop Pop to 19 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of his Life will be held Sunday, Jan. 15, at 3 p.m., at the Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where friends may visit beginning at 2:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. McKinney's name to the Master Masons of Jefferson Lodge No. 15, 116 1/2 Second St., Lewes, DE 19958, or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Please visit Mr. McKinney's Life Memorial Webpage and sign his online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.