Roger McKinley

Roger McKinley, 82, died at his home on June 8, 2023 in Prairie City.  A Celebration of Roger’s Life – Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2023 – 1:00 p.m. at the Prairie City Cemetery.  Friends are invited to join the family for a potluck dinner served at the Depot Park following the service.

Roger Lyle McKinley was born on June 11, 1940 in Willits, California to Almar and Marjorie (Ford) McKinley.  He was raised in Willits, California, graduating from Willits High School in 1959.  Roger and Melody both attended Willits High School. Their parents thought that their teenagers should take lessons.  It was at the lessons where these schoolmates discovered the loves of their life.  He married Linda Melody Morgan on May 28, 1960 in Prairie City, Oregon.

Through the years Roger worked in construction, sawmills, equipment operator, timber, horse logger and owner of R.J. Logging from 1972 to 1992 and co-owner of R.J. Post & Pole, Inc from 1992 until present.

Work was Roger’s enjoyment, especially when he could teach the younger generation about logging, trucking, running equipment and repairing broken down equipment.  He was very skilled at operating his self-loader log truck.  Roger enjoyed hunting and fishing when he would take the time.  He served his Lord and Savior as Trustee and Board of Finance on the Northwest District Evangelical Methodist Church, the International Evangelical Methodist Church Board of Finance and Trustee, Boards, Committees and Sunday School Teacher at Grace Chapel Evangelical Methodist Church in Prairie City.  He served on the Prairie City Council for 32 years, Oregon Forest Products Transportation Association, Grant County Home Rule Committee, Grant County Public Forest Commission, and Grant County Republican Party Precinct Committee person.  He was a member of the Oregon Transportation Association, NRA and American Stewards of the Range.   

Memorable times for Roger included times spent with family, fishing with his sons and grandsons, especially when they were learning to fish and hunt.  Also, a fishing trip to Homer, Alaska in 2019 with son Jim and grandson Lucas to celebrate Lucas’s 18th birthday.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Steven McKinley and nephew Jerold McKinley.

Roger is survived by his wife Melody; sons James (Connie) McKinley of Prairie City, OR, Larry (Stacey) McKinley of Eureka, CA; Brother Dan  McKinley of John Day; grandchildren Matthew & Marcus (Susyn) McKinley, Lucas McKinley, Tammy (Joe) Thompson, Ashley (Tim) Willey, Lindsey (Mason) Bailie; Great grandchildren Charlie McKinley, Wyat, Kasey, Morgan, Colleen, Joey and Benny Thompson, Aiden, Loren and Lizzy Willey, Dawson, Tucker and Beckett Bailie; niece Sarah McKinley.

For those who would like to make a memorial donation in memory of Roger, the family suggests the Grace Chapel Evangelical Methodist Church for Mission projects in the war torn country of Mynmar or Blue Mountain Hospice through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home & Cremation Services PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834.  Online condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com