Dennis McKinnon

DENNIS LEROY MCKINNON

May 24, 1944 –May 25, 2025

Dennis Leroy McKinnon was born in Spooner Minnesota to Victoria and William McKinnon. He was 1 of 6 children, 3 boys and 3 girls. Dennis shared a close bond with his twin brother Don who passed away December 15, 2023.

Dennis attended school in Mitchell Or. when he was a young boy and graduated from North Powder High School in 1963 with the love of his life Kathy whom he married June 28th of 1963. Dennis played football, basketball, track and baseball, baseball was always his favorite. Dennis also loved golf and played for many years with friends. After high school Dennis and Kathy moved to Blanding Utah for 3 years before settling in John Day, they lived in Mt Vernon for a short time before moving to the home they have lived in for 54 years.

Dennis worked in the lumber industry his entire working life. Dennis started as a sawyer for Glen Lee, worked at the Mt. Vernon veneer plant for many years before landing at Malheur lumber where he worked as a planer foreman for over 30 years before retiring in 2009.

In 1963 Dennis married his best friend Kathryn Haworth whom he met their junior year of High School. Together they raised 2 daughters- Tammy and Stefani in John Day. Dennis enjoyed hunting, especially Elk and deer with his family and friends. They had a favorite spot that they went to for over 25 years and it became quite a production. He also loved to run in his younger years and ran Hood to Coast a few times; Dennis was also a part of Strawberry Mtn Striders. Dennis loved to watch golf, and it was one of the last things he watched and was happy his favorite golfer won the tournament. Dennis and Kathy went to Yuma Arizona for 15 years with friends they have had for over 50 years and loved atv’ing in the desert and getting to the warm sunshine every winter. They were inseparable for 62 years and he worried so much about if he went before her, we got her Pop.

Dennis taught his daughters the value of hard work and ethic that has been passed on to his grandchildren, whom he was so proud of all his family. Dennis was a basketball referee for 30 years; he travelled all over the county and surrounding counties and would always be willing to fill in if someone couldn’t make it even after putting in long days at the mill. He didn’t show any favoritism to youngest daughter Stefani after fouling her out several times, and teaching Tammy how to be a great high school golfer. You had to be brave to date his girls, if you were even 5 min late, he was out looking and he was going to give you a stern talking to about it.

Dennis is survived by the love of his life Kathy, his bride of 62 years. Daughters Tammy Frazier (Rick), Stefani Border (Monty), grandchildren, Cody Frazier (Traci), Darren Frazier (Bayley) Bailey Frazier, Graye Wolfe (Heather), great grandchildren Rylie and Jagger Wolfe, Oaklynn Mcgee and Huckston Frazier. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents William and Victoria McKinnon, Sisters Beverly, Valerie, Shirley, twin brother Don and brother Charles and grandson Kyle. Dennis leaves behind many nieces and nephews. Dennis loved his family and got great joy spending time together as a family, he held on for his and Kathy’ birthday (they shared same day a year apart) knowing the entire family would be here for their birthday, ate his favorite birthday cake (German Chocolate) and left peacefully surrounded by his family a few hours later. It gives the family great peace knowing he is in Heaven, Dennis and Kathy accepted the Lord the afternoon before he was flown out to Idaho and he had great peace knowing where his Heavenly home would be. Isaiah 26: 3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. At his request there will not be a service. Online condolences can be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com