Obituary of Jerry McKinnon

Gerald “Jerry” Edward McKinnon, 76, passed away on October 8th, 2024, at home with his family by his side. Jerry was born in Duluth to Evelyn and John McKinnon on October 29th, 1947. Jerry was a veteran, serving in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. He met Wanda in 1974 and they were married in 1982. He and his brother, John, owned McKinnon Brothers Auto Parts & Service from 1982-2002. After retirement, he and Wanda loved to spend time in Arizona and moved there for a decade before returning to Minnesota in 2016. Jerry loved to work hard, to eat good food, to watch history documentaries, and to be with his family. He also loved deer hunting, fishing trips to Canada, and beating his long-time friend, Jerry Stark, in weekly cribbage games.

He will be remembered for his generosity, integrity, empathy, honesty, and loyalty. He was very genuine and never pretended to be something he was not. He was the go to guy if you needed advice, something fixed, or a problem solved.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, John.

He will be greatly missed by: his wife, Wanda; his children, Melissa (Mark) Maki and Kelly (Robyn) McKinnon; grandchildren, Mark (Natasha) Maki, Layla Maki, Sophia McKinnon, and Wyatt Edward McKinnon; great granddaughter, Vivian Maki; siblings, Nancy (Lonnie) Golen and Ron (MacKenzie) McKinnon; several nieces and nephews, including his special niece, Gina (Cory) Swanson.

Please join us to honor Jerry for a celebration of his life at the Moose Lodge in Proctor on November 9th from Noon-3pm. Instead of flowers, please consider donating to the Proctor Moose Lodge.