Claude Aaron McKinney began life on October 21, 1954 to
the union of William and Edna McKinney in Kosciusko, MS. He
was the sixth of ten children. The McKinney family moved to
Chicago while Claude was still a young child. He graduated
from Westinghouse High School in 1971.
Claude, also known as Tony, met the love of his life, Dora in
1972. They began dating in 1975 and later married on June
28, 1980.
Tony attended Malcolm X College. He worked at Emery World-
wide as a driver for over thirty years. He later retired from
Chicago Public School in 2017.
He was known for his sense of humor and knowledge of music.
Among many music artists, Sade was one of his favorites. Tony
will always be remembered for his infamous two clap dance. He
was family oriented and never hesitated to help when he was
needed. His keen sense of direction was uncanny. As long as
you were with him, you would never get lost.
Tony leaves to cherish his memory: His loving wife, Dora; four
children, JoAnn, Alonzo (Caprice), Portia (Tyson) and Antonio;
six grandchildren, Alonia, Ashanti, Alonzo II, Maliah, Portlan
and Jonathan; six brothers, James (D), William, Nathaniel,
Arthur (D), Johnny (Marilyn) and Carl; three sisters, Mary (D),
Geraldine and Janice (D); four honorary children, Neil, Corey,
Dion and Ivory.