George Gregory McKinnon

It was a somber beginning to the new year as we lost George Gregory “Greg” McKinnon of Hartwood, Virginia. A devoted family man and retired pinnacle of the Fredericksburg building supply industry, Greg passed away on January 4, 2023, with his wife and daughter at his side.

Greg was born in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee, on June 22, 1940. He was the first child of Jerry Patrick McKinnon and Virginia Lee Walther McKinnon. His childhood was spent swimming in Lake Michigan, exploring the Wisconsin woods with his brother Angus, and playing football at the local recreation center. Some of his favorite memories were of visiting family in Antigo, Wisconsin, and Washington, DC.

As a teenager, Greg moved with his family to Bethesda, Maryland, where he attended Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School. After graduation, he lived in Northwest Washington, DC, working for such companies as E.C. Kees and Maloney Concrete.

It was while working at Maloney Concrete that Greg fell in love with his coworker Sue Dean, a teletype operator. After dating for several years, he proposed at Turkey Run, a spot overlooking the Potomac River off the George Washington Parkway. They married on July 24, 1971, at Westover Baptist Church in Arlington, Virginia. They spent their wedding night at the Watergate Hotel (just one month after the infamous break-in) and honeymooned in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Greg and Sue spent the early years of their marriage living in Arlington and Falls Church, but still enjoyed nights out in the district. In 1972, after a late evening in Georgetown, they stumbled upon a film crew shooting scenes for The Exorcist and were invited to participate in a crowd scene at the bottom of “the staircase.”

On June 14, 1980, they welcomed their only child, a daughter, Kerry Marie McKinnon (Hansen). In 1988, Greg accepted a new position in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and the family moved to the small town of Hartwood. He made a name for himself in the local building supply industry, working at Superior Supply, Building Specialties, and other companies, finally retiring in 2010.

One of his proudest moments was the birth of his only grandchild, Mackenzie Skye Hansen, on March 26, 2014. Eschewing traditional grandfather titles, he chose to have her call him “Tex,” carrying on a tradition set by his uncle, Arlo McKinnon. As her only grandfather, Tex and Mackenzie enjoyed a special relationship over the years.

An outdoorsman, Greg enjoyed hunting and fishing and was an avid gun collector. Unbeknownst to many, he was a talented whistler and cake decorator. Jazz music, western movies, and single-malt Scotch were his favorite hobbies later in life.

Greg lives on in the lives of his wife Sue, daughter Kerry, son-in-law Chris, and granddaughter Mackenzie, as well as his sister Kathy and brother-in-law Mick, and younger brothers Jeremy and Michael. He was preceded in death by his brother Angus. He also lives on in the hearts of the many friends and colleagues who knew him throughout his life. Not to be excluded is his golden retriever Babe, his faithful canine companion of 12 years who never left his side.

A memorial service and celebration of Greg’s life will take place on Monday,January 23, 2023, at 10:30am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mullinsthompsonfredericksburg.com for the McKinnon family.