Obituary of John MacKinnon

John was born in Eugene, Oregon to John Phinney MacKinnon and Mildred Pearson MacKinnon. He is survived by his wife, Ethel and children, Malcolm (Melanie) of Eugene, Roderick of Boise, Idaho, Mary Ann of Portland and six grandchildren.He grew up in Eugene, attended Edison Grade School, Roosevelt Junior High School and Eugene High School, where he lettered in basketball and tennis, winning Eugene boys junior tennis title in 1951. He entered Stanford University, majoring in pre-denistry and joined Theta Chi Fraternity. After his junior year at Stanford, he enrolled at OHSU dental school where he earned his DMD degree and he and Ethel were married. In the fall of 1958, John began two years of service in the air force attaining the rank of captain. Next and now with two children, Malcolm and Rod, John and Ethel moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where John entered the University of Missouri School of Dentistry to pursue a Master of Science Degree and specialty in orthodontics. The family returned to Eugene in 1962, where John began his practice and they welcomed the arrival of their daughter, Mary Ann.In addition to the pleasure John had in the treatment of his patients, he was also an active member of the community. He coached grade school boys basketball, served as president of EBAA (now Kidsports), served for five years on the Eugene Planning Commission and as president of the Lane County Dental Society.John's fondness for art began at an early age when he and his Edison School friend, Rod Gillilan took painting classes together. Later, during his and Ethel's travels they enjoyed visiting museums and acquiring art for their home. That interest prompted John to accept membership on the board of directors of the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, where he served both as treasurer and president during the renovation of the museum to its present status.John was a devoted gardener, faithfully deadheading the many rhododendrons in the yard in order to encourage abundant blooms for the following year. He loved to prune the shrubs, taking smug satisfaction from the huge mounds of branches that he later ground up in his chipper.His membership in Knights of the Round Table provided the opportunity for social and intellectual interaction with members of business and university communities and also the challenge of having to research and present several papers - always glad to have that task behind him!Playing bridge was an activity of pleasure and competition which he relished, especially when he could make a contract "doubled and vulnerable." Golf was another source of fun, always seeming to get as much pleasure from the betting as from the ball striking and always seeking but never getting a hole-in-one. However, John's favorite sport was fly fishing, finding pure joy in the annual trips to Montana with his sons, grandsons and the group of friends who returned year after year.Although he had a long battle with cancer, John never thought of himself as a victim but always felt so fortunate to have had a long life with the deep love of his family, the companionship of his friends and the opportunities of his community.The family express our deep gratitude for the caring service of Cascade Hospice during the final months of John's life.In lieu of flowers, John asked that donations may be made to any of the following: Elks Dental Clinic, Volunteers in Medicine, Kidsports, Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art.A private service will be held at a later date.Arrangements entrusted to Musgrove Family Mortuary. Please access the obituary and you are invited to sign the guestbook at musgroves.com