Doug McKinnon
April 19, 1941 - November 25, 2022
Lynden, Washington - Doug McKinnon passed away peacefully at home on November 25, 2022, after a valiant 12-year struggle with Parkinson's disease.
He was born in April 1941 to Don and Frances (Fussner) McKinnon and graduated from Bellingham High School with the fabulous class of 1960. While in school, he ran hurdles with the track team and was on the stage crew, when he fell in love with Nancy (Palmer) who would become his wife in December 1960.
Nancy and Doug raised two daughters, Mary and Jennifer, while Doug worked in the grocery industry, both with Haggen and then as a sales representative for Kraft Foods. They spent many fun-filled years with dear, life-long friends playing racquetball, training field trial Labrador Retrievers, zipping around in their Datsun 2000 roadster, and camping at the Nooksack River and the Washington Coast.
In 1983, Doug and Nancy switched gears and relocated to Boise. He volunteered as a guardian ad litem, and then put his grocery knowledge to work managing the Idaho Food Bank warehouse, before returning to what he knew best - being a salesman. He retired from Interwest Brokerage in 2003. Following retirement, they returned to Whatcom County and seamlessly reconnected with their beloved friends and family.
Doug enjoyed golf, playing cards (especially with his pinochle partner and sister-in-law Kaye), and meals with the "Class of 60" boys. The friendships he and Nancy formed and maintained meant the world to him.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Nancy, daughters Mary (Kevin) Galley and Jennifer (Brian) Rick; grandchildren Taylor, Megan, Camille, Anya and Finley, and a great-granddaughter. He also leaves behind his brother and best friend Greg (Cathy) McKinnon, and in-laws Jane (Warren Dillon) Palmer, Carol (Walt) Kruckeberg, Kaye Palmer and numerous nieces and nephews, who all adored him.
May his memory be for a blessing. It is up to those who bear his memory to keep his kindness alive.
The memorial service will be at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at Westford Funeral Home. Donations in Doug's name can be made to Whatcom Hospice Foundation to honor the tremendous care he received from his nurses, especially Susan, Andrea and Brooke, and his at-home caregivers Yo and Sue.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Bellingham Herald on Nov. 30, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Doug McKinnon

9 Entries

Linda Paul

May 6, 2023

Dear Nancy, I was just thinking about those amazing painted shoes you created for me, oh so many years ago. This prompted me to do a little sleuthing and I discovered the sad news of Doug's passing. I have so many fine memories of spending time talking, laughing, and gobbling delicious food at your home in Boise. Doug was such a kind and gracious man. I can't imagine how difficult this loss is for you and your family.

Barb Williams

December 11, 2022

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Gordie and Marcia Thomas

December 10, 2022

Dear Nancy and family...
Condolences to you all. As friends for many years, we are saddened to hear of Doug´s passing. In reading his obituary, I took note of the Nooksack was mentioned. Well, those great camping events and beer bottle art are memories we cherish and make us smile. Take care during this sad time.

Norm Webstad

December 3, 2022

I am very sorry for your loss, Doug and I have been friends since junior high school. When we would get together, we would share stories of going to games, having Doug's dad take us to the Mt. Baker Theater and watching Doug run the hurdles on the track team. There are no words to describe my sadness at the passing of Doug.
Norm Webstad, Friend

Lynn Carpenter

December 3, 2022

Doug was a warm, thoughtful, caring man. He will be missed.

Mary Frances

December 2, 2022

Memories of my father
Were safe and secure in the pockets of my soul....

From time to time I´d reach into a pocket and invest a memory with my own children, a friend and sometimes strangers.

As I moved into my senior years, these pocket-memories, like a savings account, became more and more valuable, especially when I shared them with my dad - reminding him of an eternal inheritance woven into each pocket.

A father´s death is like a giant magnet pulling memories out of their safe-soul pockets all at once - all of them at the same time! No one memory more valuable than the other, all melded together - an immeasurable treasure.

Now the memories, refined and purified over time, present as one single mountain of gold.

No one prepared me or told me how to carry a gold mountain, or climb a gold mountain, or stand on a gold mountain.

... I don´t have a pocket for a mountain.

Mary Frances

December 2, 2022

Memories of my father
Were safe and secure in the pockets of my soul....

From time to time I´d reach into a pocket and invest a memory with my children, a friend... and sometimes strangers.

As I moved into my senior years, these pocket-memories, like a savings account, became more and more valuable, especially when I shared them with my dad - reminding us both of a mysterious eternal inheritance woven into each pocket.

For example: my dad always remembered to give my grandmother, his mother and wife, and his two daughters flowers for Valentine´s Day. (This is just one of many memory-pockets).

It would not be honest or true if I didn´t acknowledge the difficult process of a soul-pocket´s purpose. Each memory has an original, custom made design dedicated to restoration, refinement and redemption...

My father´s flight has unraveled my memory-pockets!

This past week has been like a giant magnet pulling father-memories out of their safe coverings - all at once - all of them at the same time!

Now the memories, refined and purified over time, have been transformed into one mountain - a treasure mountain - a gold mountain...

No one prepared me or told me how to carry a gold mountain. I don´t know how to climb a gold mountain, and I don´t have a pocket for a gold mountain....

and I´m glad....

laura willkie

November 30, 2022

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always. laura willkie. ps I took care of Doug 2 yrs ago thru eden

Elaine sofie

November 30, 2022

Doug was one of these special people in my life..He was like a brother to me from Grade school until his Death. Had many good and crazy time. We had one fight over fishing. I laugh to this day over it. He will be missed by all as a fabulous and loving human being!
RIP my friend! Elaine

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