Obituary

Dennis Lawrence McKinney, affectionately known as “Dennis the Menace”, was  born on June 2, 1967 to Barbara May McKinney-Burns and David Garnett of St. Louis, Missouri. From the age of 2, Dennis was raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma along with his six older siblings. At an early age Dennis developed a love for the Arts while attending Tulsa Public Schools. It was not unordinary to find Dennis participating in a school play, community talent show, or some other local theatrical event.

Dennis graduated from McLain High School in 1985. Upon graduation, Dennis attended the American Acting Academy in Manhattan New York. While living in New York, he was a contestant on the legendary Showtime at the Apollo and was a chef at  Shaquille O’Neil’s All Star Cafe.

In 1997, Dennis moved back to Tulsa to be near family. It was at that time Dennis began working as a chef. At the time of his departure, he worked as an Assembler for an HVAC company. Dennis was a man of many talents and wit. He was funny and touched the hearts of many with his comedic skills and light hearted spirited personality. On January 2, 2018, God decided to call Dennis home. The McKinney family feels truly blessed to have had him for 50 years. He will truly be missed but most important we will miss his beautiful smile.

Cherishing the life of Dennis McKinney is his mother Barbara “Momma Do” Burns, two children: Leanna Metz McKinney of Fayetteville, Arkansas and Marqua Sykes of Edmond, Oklahoma; grandchildren Bryson, Brendyn, and Alynna of Fayetteville; siblings LaWanda (Paul) Richardson, Dallas, Texas; Pamela Summers, Tulsa, Oklahoma; Grace (Vic) Jordan of Kansas City, Missouri; Richard (Marquette) McKinney of Dallas, Texas; Lisa Jones of Dallas, TX ; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Dennis was preceded in death by his father David Garnett, oldest brother Tommy Lee McKinney and nephews Victor “VJ” Jordan II and Arin Patterson.

Services will be held on Friday, January 12, 2018 at 12:00pm at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, located at 1339 E. Virgin St. Tulsa, Oklahoma 74106.