tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post4219530043971538252..comments2024-03-22T13:06:27.366-05:00Comments on WataugaWatch: Ken McKinney, Rest in PeaceJ.W. Williamsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17694324792688711136noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-31313400104293295892011-04-14T12:54:08.989-05:002011-04-14T12:54:08.989-05:00Ken was one of a kind and a truly good friend and ...Ken was one of a kind and a truly good friend and confidante. I was his parish priest at St. Mary of the Hills in the late 1970's. We shared the same politics, theologies, church music tastes and so much more. Returning to the mountains in retirement six years ago, it was a real joy to reconnect with Ken and Marj. <br /><br />He had a dry and disarming sense of humor. Every time we returned from an overseas holiday, he would always want to hear all about it. Biennially we rent a villa outside of San Gimignano, Tuscany. On one of Ken's last trips to our home before it became too difficult, he brought a bottle of wine - red Tuscan and said to save it for a special occasion. We did and when we opened it I e-mailed him with profuse gratitude. He advised me that it came from San Gimignano,he knew the vineyard owner, had been there and gave me exact driving directions to find the place from our villa. On a similar visit to Ravenna, he patiently listened to my excitement at the mosaics and then added - next time drive about 10 miles south to thus and so for a real find!BOB MCCLOSKEYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03877513502885273003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-69970218020839188962011-04-12T09:23:08.341-05:002011-04-12T09:23:08.341-05:00Just to clear up any possible misunderstanding - K...Just to clear up any possible misunderstanding - Ken's widow is Marjorie McKinney. I've only had the pleasure of singing with the McKinneys for the past decade.Marjory Holdernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-22759100463826293392011-04-12T07:23:43.116-05:002011-04-12T07:23:43.116-05:00I am so moved by a man I never personally knew. I...I am so moved by a man I never personally knew. I want to share this essay with my father who was one of those anti-union wealthy families right over Red Mountain. I was one of those sheltered children who rode the bus part way home with Ora, our maid, because I loved her so dearly. <br /><br />I was so clueless. <br /><br />So I have a personal interest and am pleased to be enlightened even if under such sad circumstances. I wish I'd had the opportunity to know Ken. <br /><br />Thank you for sharing this tribute and may Marjorie find peace in the arms of her loved ones and rest assured that Ken will continue to be remembered for his impact on those of us still here. <br /><br />Thank you, from this long-since converted yellow dog Democrat.Beckahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06499497150597388646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-53173216863159751952011-04-11T10:42:34.278-05:002011-04-11T10:42:34.278-05:00My heart goes out to Marjory and the rest of the M...My heart goes out to Marjory and the rest of the McKinney family in their time of grief.<br /><br />Ken was a giant on this local scene who brought together numerous people from across the world in his musical and scholarly life. His was always a great voice of reason and compassion, as this essay so lovingly presents.<br /><br />Ken and Marjory were movers and shakers in choral and a cappella singing, who connected intimately English and American communities through their devotion to the craft.<br /><br />Ken made music in his teaching and research as well, and Appalachian has lost a person who helped make the university a major player in our academic world from when he arrived in 1968 until he retired in 1998. Ken was a leading writer about evolutionary biology as well as being a committed Christian. These worlds were not polar opposites for him, but were instead intimately integrated as complementary explanations of all life.<br /><br />Ken's passing is not only shocking in being unexpected, but for his being so young for his life to end.<br /><br />He will indeed rest in peace.Michael Moorenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6194583.post-45297694896840541462011-04-11T09:56:28.248-05:002011-04-11T09:56:28.248-05:00There are no words to express our sorrow at losing...There are no words to express our sorrow at losing Ken, or our joy in what he meant to his family, his students, his planet, his church, and his Party...a man of intelligence, wisdom, wit, and insight.Marjory Holdernoreply@blogger.com