Mark Allen McKinley

Mark Allen McKinley, 64, of Amarillo, TX, passed away on Friday, July 25, 2025.

He was born on September 4, 1960, at the Neblett Clinic in Canyon, TX, to Gary and Glendene McKinley. He became the baby brother to his big sister, Susan, who is eighteen months older. Although they had different personalities, they were always close and there for one another.

Mark graduated from Caprock High School in 1979. He developed a love for music, reading, and art at a young age. He also began building car and airplane models early on. This passion for building models was passed down to his son, Nigel, with whom he spent countless hours glueing, painting, and assembling both small and larger projects, including Lego kits. Their time together often resulted in spirited and sometimes heated competitions.

An avid art collector, Mark enjoyed supporting local artists in the community. He played guitar and worked as a DJ at various parties. Some of his favorite memories include camping, fishing, and floating the Illinois River with his dad, uncles, and cousins. Describing Mark as an avid reader would be an understatement; he read complex manuals and had a knack for explaining intricate details to others. This talent served him well during his more than twenty years as a machinist for BNSF. Before joining the railroad, Mark worked alongside his father in the printing business.

He is preceded in death by his father, Gary McKinley; his grandparents, Knox and Minnie Walraven; his uncles, William and Ken McKinley, and Pat Riley.

Mark is survived by his son, Nigel McKinley; his mother, Glendene McKinley; his sister, Susan Thomas, and her husband, Sherman, along with their family; as well as numerous cousins, aunts, uncles on both sides of the family, and his childhood friend, David House.