Barry Jay McKinnon
Barry Jay McKinnon passed away peacefully at home on April 10, 2026 after a year-long battle with cancer. Barry was born on September 16, 1956 to Helen Noble and Franklin Robert McKinnon in Salt Lake City, Utah. The family moved to Santa Ana, California in 1959. He loved going to the mountains, flying planes, fishing, and, during his youth, spending the summers on his family’s ranch in Utah. He also loved baseball and stayed faithful to the Angels until the end.
He served a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He loved his faith and served in several leadership roles in his local church congregation. He married Rebecca Wing on August 18, 1984. Together they had two children, James and Katie.
Barry earned a Bachelor’s degree is Psychology from Brigham Young University. He worked for many years as a manager for FranklinCovey as well as Las Campañas Apartments in Tustin. He will always be remembered for his selfless acts of service, his fun-loving personality, and kindness. A beloved husband and father, Barry is survived by his wife, Becky, and children James (Courtney) and Katie. He is also survived by his brothers Craig and Randy (Candy), and sister Cathy.
A memorial service will be held this Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 11 a.m. with a viewing starting at 10 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 1800 San Juan St, Tustin, CA 92780.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Barry will be very missed by our family. He was such a lovely person. I never saw Barry in a bad mood. Always upbeat and fun loving. Positive and kind. We will miss your sweet temperament and kind words. All of our love to the McKinnon family at this very difficult time
Brother McKinnon always had a smile on his face and a kind word for everyone. He was such a positive, personal man, and his legacy will always be defined by that kindness.
Barry was an AMAZING person, like others have said, he always wore a smile. It never felt like he judged anyone. He just loved everyone the way they were, a true Christ-Like example. I’m having a hard time articulating how to say, he was just an amazing, kind, dedicated, honest man. There’s not many of those left in this world, he was one of the few that were left and he will be missed for sure, however his legacy and example will live on through the many people he’s interacted with throughout his entire life. I hope I can be 1/10th the man Barry was in my own life.
When I first met Barry well over 20 years ago, he told me I look just like his deceased mother. Now and then he would give a little wink and a playful smile and call me Mom. I felt very maternal about that kindhearted man.
One very hot July, 1976, Fleetwood, Berks County, PA, two very sweet-drenched Elders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints knocked on my door and presented the restored gospel to me. I listened and asked for The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. That night as I read it, I learned it is a sacred book. Thank you eternally, dear Elder McKinnon, for your greatest gift to me, my large families, friends, and hundreds more. Continue you faithful mission❤️🙏. Till then~.
OC Parks purchased Eco-Friendly Memorial Trees for Barry McKinnon
Barry was truly special. He was kind, wise, and had a great sense of humor. His Mom and my Mom were very good friends but she passed away when Barry was in High School. His Dad was our dentist.
Barry went with us on our summer vacation in Mammoth one year. We hiked in the mountains. I still remember that he never complained, but asked “you call THIS a vacation!?”. Lol
He was an important part of our family and as teens we hung out, and did fun things together. One time he took us up in his roofless military jeep to the top of Saddleback mountain. He drove like a maniac along the twisting and windy road. He was having a blast putting the fear into me as I hung on for dear life. I deserved his teasing me like that because I teased him unmercifully about his double earlobe and would say he was kissed by the devil, but Mom would say, “he was kissed by an angel”.
Another time I remember my Mom testily scolding my brother and I for something and went back into the kitchen. Barry got up and followed her. We could hear him gently say “now, now, Bernice.” We were floored that as a teen he would call her by her first name. He was a calm peacemaker and had a way of giving love to her that was phenomenal. Mom dearly loved Barry.
Then he married my wonderful friend Becky Wing. What a match made in heaven! Two very outstanding people.
Barry was always my advocate and knew my true spirit. I appreciate his ongoing friendship, his core goodness, and positivity that touched everyone.
Although we moved farther away, every time we did see Barry, there was a close bond of love between our families. The Gudmundsens deeply love the McKinnons. We’re heartbroken at this time, but find comfort in our knowledge that we will reunite again in Heaven.