Colton William McKinney

Colton William McKinney, 24, of Amarillo, Texas, passed away on August 31, 2026.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M.- 7:30 P.M., Friday, September 4, 2026, at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home. Services will be at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, September 5, 2026, in the Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.

Colton was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on February 12, 2002, to William Shane and Christine Renee (Wilson) McKinney. Colton moved to Amarillo, Texas, in 2007 with his siblings shortly after his mother's passing, where James and Robin Holmes, along with the rest of the family, count it a blessing to have had Colton as part of the family.

Colton attended Amarillo High School, where he participated in choir, was a natural athlete, and made lifelong friendships.

Colton knew hard work from an early age, having spent summers learning to lay asphalt and pick up cones at Holmes Construction Company alongside his brothers and family. Throughout high school, Colton worked for Amarillo School District in the after-school program. He later took over the survey department at Holmes Construction Co., where he easily figured grades and laid out jobs. When Colton was 18 years old, he began working for Zaccatine Brothers, where he learned the intricate labor of terrazzo flooring. In the six years Colton spent with Zaccatine, he became not only a skilled floorman but a part of the family. Colton was trusted to complete jobs at the Zaccatine Ranch, where he spent time fishing and enjoying the land after a long day's work. Colton took his time with every job he did, wanting it to be perfect. He would say if he did the job right, he could take his time - Colton’s time.

Colton loved life and was an adventurer at heart. From an early age, he excelled at everything he tried, from school sports to BMX bike racing, knife throwing, and rock climbing, until he found his true love of golfing and snowboarding. Colton loved the mountains, where he spent time fishing and building intricate fire pits. Colton recently started shooting sporting clays with James and Rhett where his competitive side thrived. Colton was the perfect DJ, having a song for every occasion and always having a speaker on hand. He loved music of all genres and knew how to set the mood.

Colton was a people person and built relationships with everyone he met. Whether he had known you for a few minutes or years, he was truly interested in who you were and what you had to say. He was generous with family and friends, willing to give anything to anyone who needed it. Not only was Colton known for his big heart, but for his big hands that gave him an advantage in any sibling squabble. Colton brightened the room with his big goofy smile, knowing exactly what to say to make you laugh. Colton was a genuinely grateful person. He appreciated every opportunity and experience, from spending time on the Zaccatine Ranch to fireworks at Uncle Mike's. Colton enjoyed his big family, tossing the frisbee in Meme’s backyard, family dinners, grandma’s hotcakes, and the hot air balloon ride his Dad surprised him with earlier this month. Colton lived life to the fullest and loved deeply. His family will remember his big Colton hugs forever.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Christine Renee (Wilson) McKinney.

He is survived by his father, William Shane McKinney, and partner Janet Lowe, and half-brother, Jessie of Albuquerque, New Mexico; grandparents, William and Carol McKinney of Albuquerque, New Mexico; brother, Rhett McKinney or Amarillo, Texas; sister, Hemmi McKinney of Amarillo, Texas; brother, Justin and his wife Kaitlyn McKinney, of Amarillo, Texas; Robin and James Holmes of Amarillo, Texas; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.