Lester McKinney Jr.

Lester McKinney Jr., born November 1, 1939, was a man whose life reflected faith, family, hard work, and an unwavering belief in the dignity and potential of others. Lovingly known to many as “Big Les,” and simply as “Dad” to so many of his sons’ friends, Lester never forgot the humble beginnings that shaped him.

The second of four children born to Zillah Mae and Lester McKinney Sr., he grew up near 27th Street and Indianapolis Avenue, beginning a paper route at age 12 and working at Bruce’s Super Market by 14.

A graduate with honors from Crispus Attucks High School, Lester served his country in the United States Army, where his remarkable mathematical abilities and mastery of the slide rule led to his selection as the first Black serviceman asked to serve on a Nuclear Warhead Team. He later served in Okinawa, Japan, as a Heavy Infantry Specialist.

Upon returning home, Lester relied deeply on his faith in God, the love and encouragement of his beloved wife, Yvonne Payne McKinney, and the confidence forged through military service to challenge the racial barriers of his time. Returning to Eli Lilly and Company in an era of segregated cafeterias, water fountains, and restrooms, he refused to allow janitorial work to define the limits of his ability. Given an opportunity to prove himself, he did—and over an extraordinary 33-year career, rose through capsule manufacturing and Quality Control into executive leadership and Guest Relations.

Along the way, he became a champion for diversity, inclusion, minority participation, and opportunity, helping strengthen Lilly’s relationships with Indiana Black Expo, the Circle City Classic, and Indianapolis’ broader Black community. After retiring from Lilly, he continued his service as Vice President of Minority Affairs for the Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association, becoming a familiar and beloved presence throughout the city and contributing to events and organizations including NCAA tournaments, the Pan American Games, the Indiana Pacers, the Indianapolis Colts, the Indianapolis 500, the Brickyard 400, major conventions, concerts, and the Super Bowl.

For all that Lester accomplished publicly, the most meaningful parts of his life happened at home. His greatest titles were husband, father, mentor, coach, neighbor, and friend. He and Yvonne built a home grounded in faith, love, integrity, discipline, confidence, and self-worth, and Lester often acknowledged that he would not have become the man he was without her love, encouragement, and strength. Sadly, she preceded him in death on March 25th, 1988 and left a huge void in his amazing life.

He coached his sons’ football and basketball teams, led the PTO meetings at School 11, drilled multiplication and division flash cards to his sons on Sunday nights, and once responded to an unfinished book report by building two bookshelves in the basement and filling them with encyclopedias so his children would always have the tools they needed to succeed. His young sons even became his practice audience as he rehearsed opening remarks for important Lilly presentations—living out his favorite principle, “Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance.”

And then there was the whistle. Long before cell phones, pagers, or text messages, Dad had his own unmistakable way of calling his boys home. On warm Indianapolis summer evenings, Dad’s whistle could be heard blocks away, and everyone in the neighborhood knew exactly what it meant: it was time for the McKinney boys to come home. Games stopped mid-play, bikes were turned around, and friends knew the day was done. There was no waiting for the streetlights to come on. When Dad whistled, you came home. What once seemed like a simple childhood routine became one of those treasured memories forever woven into the fabric of family and neighborhood life—a sound his sons would give anything to hear just one more time.

Lester’s life cannot adequately be measured by the awards he received—including the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash Award—the executive positions he held, the influential people he knew, or even the remarkable barriers he broke. His true legacy lives in the people he loved and the lives he touched. Lester never met a stranger because he approached people with a warmth that made them feel seen, respected, and welcomed. He gave generously of himself—his time, relationships, wisdom, encouragement, faith, and opportunities—and believed that success meant very little if it could not be used to help someone else. In Indianapolis, he was a trailblazer and civic leader. To many, he was Big Les. And to his sons, Kenney and Keith, he was something even greater: their teacher, protector, example, consummate hero, and the man who showed them what fatherhood and manhood were supposed to look like.

Lester was preceded in death by his loving parents and his only beloved brother Scott McKinney.

Lester is survived by his sons, Kenney and Keith; his sisters, Ruth Jean and Phyllis; his nieces, Tonya, DeLynn, and Shellie; his nephews, Mark, Ted and Jimmy McKinney; and a community of family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones forever changed by knowing him.

Dad, thank you for every lesson, every sacrifice, every laugh, every Christmas, every practice, every opportunity, and every memory. From 27th and Indianapolis Avenue to places you could never have imagined as that young paperboy, you showed us that faith could sustain you, preparation could position you, hard work could elevate you, and love could make everything worthwhile. And somewhere in our hearts, on a warm summer evening in Indianapolis, we will always hear that whistle calling us home.