If you tried to describe Don McKinney to somebody you might think of John Wayne for his natural swagger or Will Rogers for his wit and charm and maybe Johnny Cash for the way he did exactly what he wanted, damn the rules. But truth be told, there has never been another man alive or dead like Don McKinney. He was a father, a husband, a grandfather and a hero. He was born a jet engine and thats the way he lived. Donald Lee McKinney was born on August 3rd, 1934 to Daniel Curtis and Mary Edith McKinney in Oklahoma City. He was the youngest of four children by a long stretch. He was doted on by his mother and described his father as mostly uninterested. A characteristic Don vowed not to repeat with his son.