DeWayne McKinney died last week ….. I remember this guy because he was on 20/20. I was so shocked and impressed by his ability to just move on. The tragedies in most of our lives are very slight compared to Mr. McKinney’s.Here I will just give the essentials – please read this article for the ‘rest of the story’.
McKinney was being raised by his single mother. In Orange County. California; this was interrupted by her death when he was 12.
Young DeWayne started surviving, and getting into trouble - Mostly really small stuff. But when a hamburger stand was robbed, the manager was killed and in a “round up the usual suspects” photo line up set. His photo was included – and with his luck his picture picked out of the line up.
A young assistant district attorney let the case against him and he was convicted. He went to prison.
Twenty years later – he was exonerated! Two other men admitted their guilt and those that identified DeWayne took back their testimony. So, twenty years later he got out of prison. The State of California gave him a settlement and said “Bye Bye.”
Rather than being bitter, DeWayne – stood on the steps of the court house and said he didn’t hold anything against anyone. Later on 20/20 he said it again.
Then he put if “money where is mouth is” he invited the judge who convicted him to officiate at his wedding.
From a man who had not seen a cell phone, who had gone to jail before he even had a bank account – he moved on to success in business. I don’t remember why they said he was in Hawaii – but he was and he noticed there were not enough ATM’s for tourists. He formed a business to fix that and became one of the biggest (maybe the biggest) owner of ATM’s in Hawaii.
McKinney died last week in Hawaii in a car accident. I would like to say ‘Bravo!” for a life well lived.
Oh – and the bit of trivia from the 20/20 interview….. Mr. McKinney said he had to relearn everything – including how to ride a bike. So, if someone tells you that “it is just like riding a bike – you never forget……” think of DeWayne McKinney
Here is a link to a man who knew him personally and writes in detail about more of his Mr. McKinney’s life and where I heard about his dealth.