Oliver Forest McKinney passed away October 24, 2025, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, FL. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Forest O. McKinney and Shirley J. McKinney; sister Wilma J. Kanarkacwicz, and brother Gregg A. McKinney.

He is survived by wife, (Melinda) Ann McKinney; son and daughter-in-law, Matthew and Pamela Mckinney; grandchildren, Kara Hinton and Gavin McKinney, many precious nieces and nephews, and other extended family.

Oliver was born in Kenova, WV on February 4, 1946. At the age of four he exhibited an interest in the piano in his grandparent’s living room and would ‘play’ it whenever he was unsupervised. Father Forest completed his studies at Marshall University, enlisted in the Navy, and became a pilot. The family moved to a new city with each duty assignment, but with each relocation, Oliver’s parents identified a new church and a new piano teacher for their son. Moving a piano from place to place was problematic, so Oliver often practiced on a borrowed instrument. An oft repeated family legend has it that he and his dad sometimes climbed through an unlocked church basement window to access a piano when one was otherwise unavailable. 

In 1960, the family moved to Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands. At that time, there was no television (or internet) on the island, and since it was only a mile wide and three miles long, the only vehicles allowed were official Navy cars and trucks. For a teenager longing to drive it was a little like landing on Mars. But Oliver and his family soon embraced island life and readily adjusted to attending church in flip flops and shorts. They reluctantly returned stateside in 1963, and were stationed at Point Mugu near Lompoc, CA. True to their pattern, the family quickly joined a local Baptist Church where Oliver met (Melinda) Ann Muir and the two started dating. During his senior year in high school, Oliver played keyboard in a local band and would often sleep through study hall to make up for late nights on stage. Oliver and Ann were married June 4,1967, and moved to San Francisco where Oliver continued his musical career playing in local concert venues and recording with the band,

Tripsichord Music Box. The couple moved to Pensacola in late 1968, and son Matthew was born in 1969. Oliver played in several local bands and pursued various side hustles including freelance photography and a wildly unsuccessful lawn care business. He discovered an interest in graphics while working in publication design and completed nearly every art course offered by Pensacola Junior College. He worked for a time as a billboard design artist and then a job as emblematic merchandise designer led to full-time work as a graphic artist in the Student Activities Office at the University of West Florida. Oliver enjoyed working with the students and staff in the University Commons, and his designs won multiple regional and national awards.

Although no longer working full time as a musician, Oliver’s music was still a major interest. Ann and a friend bought him a used cello and he commuted to Ft. Walton Beach weekly to take lessons on that instrument. He enjoyed playing cello in the orchestra at Olive Baptist Church for several years. After retirement in 2011, Oliver and Ann began attending St. Mark United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir and often played special music selections on piano and cello. His unique medleys were particular favorites and kept the congregation listening carefully to determine which songs he had combined.

Oliver enjoyed travel, and wherever he went, he carried his sketch pad and paints. He especially enjoyed days spent “arting” with brother Gregg which usually involved a meet up at the doughnut shop before driving around trading corny jokes while searching for the perfect location to paint.

Oliver had a quiet enduring faith, a joyful spirit and a lively sense of humor. He was a beloved husband, a loving father, proud grandfather and valued friend. His passing left us an example of a life well-lived.

A Celebration of Oliver’s life will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at St. Mark United Methodist Church, 2203 N. 12th Ave. in Pensacola, FL. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall.