Don E. McKinnon, 61, died Friday, June 17, 2011 at St. Peter\u2019s Hospital in Helena, MT.<\/p>\n
He was born in Lewistown on April 6, 1950 to Dora and Carl Barrick.<\/p>\n
After Carl\u2019s death, when Don was six, his mother met and married LeRoy McKinnon. LeRoy adopted both Don and his younger sister Twila as his own. Don was always proud to say that he had two wonderful fathers in his life.<\/p>\n
Don attended Lewistown schools and graduated from the University of Montana with a B.A. in Economics. Having always loved the outdoors, Don began working for the U.S. Forest Service during his college years; first as a Fire Tower Lookout and then as a forest fire fighter in Montana. He also spent two fire seasons in Alaska. Don continued his F.S. career with various positions, all dealing with fire and timber. His last appointment was in the Regional Office, Missoula, as a Regional Timber Appraisal & Measurement Specialist. He retired in 2005 with 36 years; \u201ca long, successful career,\u201d as he quoted. After that, he filled his time working as a courtesy shuttle driver for Chevy, a flower delivery person for Knox Flowers, a fill-in RMDC Senior Citizens and Meal on Wheels bus driver, and Capital City Optimist club member until his failing health and diagnosis of bladder cancer in May 2010 prevented him from continuing. Don was many things; humorous, good natured and brilliant. He had an excellent memory, which served him well over the years.<\/p>\n
His family was his top priority and he lived his life devoted to that goal. Don was the best husband and father that a man could be. He rejoiced in being a grandpa. In 1975, Don met Gail in Libby, MT. They married in 1977 and celebrated 34 years in April.<\/p>\n
Don was much loved and will be missed without measure.<\/p>\n
Don was preceded in death by his fathers, Carl Barrick and LeRoy McKinnon; mother, Dora McKinnon; wonderful grandparents and numerous aunts and uncles on each of his parent\u2019s sides.<\/p>\n
He is survived by his wife, Gail McKinnon of Helena; daughter, Leigh McKinnon (Jason Wood) of East Helena; son, Park (Crystal) McKinnon of Helena; and precious grandchildren, Jae and Tai Wood and baby McKinnon. He is also survived by sisters, Twila (Wes) Delaney of Polson, MT and Arlene McKinnon of Port Townsend, WA; sister-in-law, Hollie (Mike) Sanchez of Seal Beach, CA; nephews, Jason (Char) Delaney of Golden, CO, Kyle Delaney of Polson, Brandon (Maricela) Sanchez of Orange, CA; nieces, Kelsie Delaney of Polson and Stephanie (Ken) Barnard of Laguna Beach, CA; great-nieces, Morgan and Quinn Delaney, Kirstin and Katie Barnard; and great-nephew, Benjamin Sanchez.<\/p>\n
In lieu of flowers, an Education Fund has been set up for Don\u2019s grandchildren. Donations may be made to the Don McKinnon Educational Fund at U.S. Bank in Helena.<\/p>\n
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home has handled Don\u2019s cremation. A memorial service will be 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home.<\/p>\n
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com.\u00a0<\/p>\n","photo":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/401130_profile_pic.jpg","youtube_video_url":"","family_email":"","family_first_name":"","family_last_name":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/case\/863","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/case"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/case"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=863"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/helenafuneralhome.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=863"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}