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Mark McKinnon Obituary
In 1961 Mark made the 4,500 mile trek with his parents and seven other siblings from Salem, Massachusetts to Elmendorf AFB in a Rambler station wagon. Just last month, he made the trip back to Salem to bury his father and attend a family reunion.
Mark attended Government Hill elementary, Mears Jr. High and graduated from Dimond High School where he excelled on the football team. He worked as a bellman, TV repair technician and independent landscaper.
Always ready to find the humor in situations, he expected others to do so as well; especially his parents when he decided it would be a good idea to streak through Dimond High with a gorilla mask on just before graduation (a popular fad at that time). Mark was outgoing, had a quick wit, great intellect and was always ready to lend a hand to anyone in need.
Mark enjoyed being with his family and would never miss a family gathering. He will be especially missed by his many nieces and nephews that he taught to play Chess and Risk as well as other games of skill, wit and strength.
Last year Mark's wife of twenty years, Rene passed away and Mark missed her dearly. We find comfort that he will be with Rene, our mother and father and our brother Tom McKinnon.
He is survived by his siblings Joe (Bonnie Boedeker), Mary (Ken) Sanford, Mike (Joan), John, Rosanna Ferraro, Theresa (Les) Day and Edith (Stephen) Repp. He is also survived by 16 nieces and nephews, 13 great-nieces and nephews and four great-great-nieces and nephews. A gathering of remembrance will be held Sunday November 20 from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. at 3936 West 37th. Please contact 248-0955 or [email protected] for information.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mark McKinnon
Steve Crook
December 5, 2011
A friend of mine showed me Mark's obituary a few days ago and asked if I knew him. The friend was a West class of '74 grad, and I was a Dimond '74 grad. I told him that Mark streaked through Dimond one day! I walked by Mark in the hallway a few days after the hilarious incident, and he explained that one of the Principals tackled him and took his mask off. Once the Principal saw that it was Mark, he let him go. That was a good way to get some sprinting exercise!
I hadn't talked to Mark since High School days.
It's an incalculable loss.
Gina Jensen
December 3, 2011
I'm so sorry for the loss of your brother, Mark. Also, I'm sorry you lost your father last year. I remember both of them fondly from our childhood years. I had to laugh when I read in his obituary that he had streaked in the high school. I remember standing outside my grandma's house with you Edie when some guy went streaking right in front of us on 46th and you nonchalantly said, "Oh, that's my brother Mark." I was actually sharing that story with a friend just a few weeks ago. I pray the Lord will comfort all of you as you mourn your loss. My prayers are with you. Love, Gina xoxo
November 22, 2011
I went to school with Mark at Dimond-Mears and remember the gorilla! Peace be with you Mark...rest well. My condolences to his family. Kelli Minsch Banyai
Kathy Belyea Miller
November 21, 2011
I went to school from 7-12 grades at Dimond-Mears with Mark and although the class of '74 was a close group, many of us just seem to keep in touch now from afar.
I remember Mark always having a great time. We all knew him and his accomplice well, but after the infamous streaking incident we knew them better! It was so scandulous then, but those were different times!
Over the years I thought of Mark often - always asking about him when reminiscing with former classmates, but never picking up the telephone. I always thought I would run into him in town somewhere, but Anchorage isn't as small as it used to be. I see that he kept that sense of humor, twinkle in his eye and a great smile! You will always keep a smile on my face! Bless you Mark!
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November 19, 2011
May the Lord, Jesus Christ, console you at this time of sorrow. Mark was a pleasure to know and I am so glad I got to see him and be with him one last time at the reunion in October. God Bless and keep you Mark. Love, your cousin Carol Lawton
Debbie Mika-Edmonds
November 19, 2011
I wish I could have been able to attend the reunion and met Mark.
The family now has another guardian angel.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
L. Jackson
November 18, 2011
May the "peace of God "(Philipians 4:6,7) be yours as your family copes with such a loss. My prayers are with you during this difficult time.
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