Gayle McKinley passed away Tuesday morning, February 13, 2024 in Quanah. A funeral service is planned for 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 17th, at First Baptist Church with Dr. Derrell Monday officiating. Interment will follow in Quanah Memorial Park.  Visitation will be held Friday evening, 6-7 p.m., at Smith Funeral Home.

Gayle Charner McKinley was born December 13, 1937 in Warren, Oklahoma to Gage Clinton and Lorene Gilchrist McKinley. He graduated from West Texas State University with a bachelor's degree. While at WT he played baseball.  Following his time at WT, he received a master's degree in education from Texas Tech. He married Barbara Powell, June 7, 1957, in Duke, Oklahoma. Gayle was employed in education for over 50 years at Reagan Elementary and Travis Middle Schools. He was a member of the Quanah Masonic Lodge and First Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara McKinley of Quanah; son, Brad McKinley, and wife Tracy, of Royce City; grandchildren, Clayton Charner McKinley, and wife Kaylee, of Norman, Oklahoma, Cortlyn Taylor McKinley of Wellington; and great grandson Augustus Charner McKinley. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Jerry and Darrel McKinley.