DAVID MCKINNEY, 33, FOUND DEAD AT HOME

Cape Girardeau businessman David Kent McKinney died at St. Francis Medical Center at about 11 p.m. Sunday after being found unconscious at his home.

McKinney, 33, owner of Jeremiah's Restaurant and Lounge in downtown Cape Girardeau and at Sikeston, was a native of Cape Girardeau. He graduated from Central High School in 1976, and from Southeast Missouri State University in 1980 with a degree in business.

John Carpenter, Cape Girardeau County Coroner, said the cause of death was from carbon monoxide fumes from a car that was left running in the garage as McKinney was either loading or unloading the trunk with tools.

"McKinney had been having some fainting spells recently," said Carpenter, who ruled the death accidental. "He apparently fainted while loading or unloading the trunk and was overcome by the fumes."

He was found by his wife when she returned home, said Carpenter.

McKinney worked in Homestead stores for a number of years while attending school, and later worked at Boyle-Midway Corp. until he opened Jeremiah's Restaurant in 1984.

McKinney was also a partner in Tantrum's Restaurant and Lounge from June 1988 to November 1989.

McKinney was a member of the Cape Girardeau Convention and Tourism Bureau Advisory Committee. He was also a member of the Downtown Merchants Association and was a booster of the downtown area.

He was a member of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, Cape Girardeau Country Club, Southeast Missouri State University Foundation Fund-Raising Committee; American Cancer Society Board; and the Lions Club.

He and his wife, Sonya, were chairpersons of the 1991 Cancer Society Gala.

McKinney was the second downtown booster to die over the weekend. Longtime Cape Girardeau businessman and civic leader David Allen Graves died Sunday at the Chateau Girardeau Health Center.

Graves, 86, who served as executive vice president of the downtown Merchants Association from 1970 to 1989, was still active in numerous civic organizations.

"It was absolutely devastating to lose two members of the downtown association over one weekend," said Evelyn Boardman, who operates a retail facility downtown and is former marketing director of the association. "McKinney had a thriving business in downtown Cape Girardeau, and Graves was a father figure here and very active in downtown promotion. This (Monday) was not a good morning."

"David was a very young and a very successful businessman," said C.P. "Chuck" McGinty, president of the Downtown Merchants Association. "Learning of his death was really tough for me. He was also my next-door neighbor.

"McKinney was well respected," said McGinty. "At 33 years of age, he operated two restaurants and was successful with both of them. He had a large group of friends."

"I was stunned at the news," said Lyn Muzzy, director of the Cape Girardeau Convention & Visitors Bureau. "David was always very dedicated to the CVB Advisory Board. He was always making suggestions and worked hard. We will miss this man."

McKinney was a member of Grace United Methodist Church.

He was born July 30, 1958, in Cape Girardeau, son of R.J. McKinney and Mildred Thompson McKinney. They survive.

He was married to Sonya Craig on Nov. 29, 1988. She survives of the home.

Other survivors are daughters, Alexa Starr McKinney and Taylor Bleu McKinney, both of the home, and a sister, Marie Debra Kaiser, Jefferson City.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel from 4 to 8 p.m. today. Service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Ernest Swartz and the Rev. James Davis, officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park.