Gregg Allen McKinney passed away on Tuesday, July 28 ^th following a lengthy illness. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Bailey McKinney, his parents, Forest O. and Shirley J. McKinney and his sister, Wilma J. McKinney. He is survived by his brother, Oliver F. McKinney, sister-in-law,  Ann McKinney, Brother-in-law Joe Kanarkiewicz, sister-in-law Elaine Long, nephews Matt McKinney, and Eric and Dan Brigham, and niece, Chandra Brigham, several great nieces and nephews and a score of aunts, uncles and cousins, including, locally, Lisa Peck.

Gregg was born December 8, 1949 in Ceredo-Kenova, West Virginia, the third child of Forest O. and Shirley J. McKinney. As a member of a Navy family, Gregg moved several times during his childhood and attended multiple schools. The family lived for three years on Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands. Gregg remembered that time fondly, and kept in contact with friends from those years. Upon returning to the States, Gregg attended Escambia High School and graduated in 1968.  He moved from Pensacola to Phoenix to help his parents and while there, attended art classes at Phoenix City College and worked for a number of years in sales for World Records. Back in Pensacola, Gregg was employed at Blockbuster where he used his encyclopedic knowledge of movies to become a favorite of his customers in Pensacola and Fairhope, Alabama.  He left Blockbuster to work for Big Lots in Pensacola where he met Mary Bailey. They married April 19, 1993. The two shared an interest in vintage objects and enjoyed buying trips and selling at local flea markets. Mary suffered from heart problems and eventually needed a transplant, so the two temporarily relocated to Birmingham where Mary received her new heart. Gregg was her stalwart support and cheering squad. His whacky sense of humor could usually cheer her up and his support helped her during difficult days. He would often end his bad jokes with the phrase, "You'll laugh later."  Back in Pensacola, Gregg often spent time with brother, Oliver, sketching and painting local scenes. The two would meet for doughnuts and chat, then drive around telling bad jokes till they found just the right spot to stop and paint. Sometimes they just drove around and talked about painting. Good times. When his health permitted, Gregg attended St. Mark United Methodist Church and made many friends in the congregation, especially among the Thursday morning art group.

As a teenager, Gregg taught himself to play guitar and piano and was a member of a local garage band. He had an appreciation for the music of many artists, both vintage and contemporary, and a phenomenal memory for the details of works by various performers. He enjoyed composing and recording his own songs in a variety of genres and shared his work with friends and family.

Gregg will be remembered for his generosity, his steadfastness, his artistic talent and musical ability, and several widely cherished, long-running jokes enjoyed by friends and family members, especially the one about the pineapple – you'll laugh later!

Jet and Tiger wish to thank the faithful corps of dog walkers and cat whispers who took care of them during Gregg's long illness and are continuing to help while they are seeking a new forever home.

The human family wants to thank the super folks of Covenant Hospice who daily hold our loved ones in their caring hands and sustain us with their heartfelt prayers. Thanks also to our St. Mark family who support us with their love.

A memorial service will be held when it is safe again for us to gather.