Donald MacKinnon

Donald "Skip" R. MacKinnon II, 70, passed away peacefully on Sunday April 23, 2023 surrounded by family and friends after complications related to ongoing health issues. Skip was born in Rumford, Maine on November 30th, 1952; the second of five children born to Donald and Jane Voter MacKinnon. After graduating from Monroe High School in Michigan, Skip enlisted in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War in 1973. Skip was stationed at several overseas postings early in his Air Force career and while stationed in Korea, Skip married Yu-Chong Kim in 1976 and started a family. They divorced in 1990. Upon returning to the U.S., Skip attained several education degrees, an A.S. in Electronics, B.A. in General Studies, and Masters in Public Administration. Skip also attended Officer Training School and was commissioned as an officer in the Air Force in 1981. Skip continued to serve in Space and Missile operations within the Air Force until his retirement as a Major in 1997 while stationed at Peterson AFB, Colorado. During his service in the Air Force, Skip was awarded several commendations, including the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal (3 oak leaf clusters), Air Force Achievement Medal and the Combat Readiness Medal.

After Air Force retirement, Skip earned several project management certifications and continued to work as a civilian contractor technical liaison at Schriever AB. After suffering a heart attack in 2007, Skip had a renewal in faith and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

In addition to his passion of helping those less fortunate, Skip was a life-long golfer and enjoyed traveling and spending time with his sons and grandchildren. Skip is survived by his siblings John, Diane and Jeff, his two sons Charles and Donald, and his grandchildren Niko and Dresden.

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