Clarke McKinney

McKinney, Clarke Passed away peacefully on January 20, 2020 at the age of 72 in White Bear Lake, MN. Clarke had dementia for many years but never allowed it to get him down. His charming smile, kind ways and quick wit never left him and will always be remembered. Survived by his loving family: wife Linda, children: Michelle, Sean (Katrina), Kevin (Mary) and Scott (Suzie), stepdaughter Pamela Huber-Nelson, sister Micha’el Tallant, sister-in-law Joyce Simonson, niece Heather Hall (Ken), nephew Brendon Brinkman, and 10 grandchildren Rob, Alexis, Macklin, Nickolas, Devin, Mandy, Cody, Cole, Amanda and Rory Jr. Preceded in death by sister Melody Catan, parents Donald and Helen McKinney. Clarke was born in Des Moines, Iowa but claimed that as an infant he immediately got his family out of there and moved them to Gunnison, Colorado. He enjoyed his young life on the Western slope of the Rockies and graduated from Gunnison High School in 1966. His favorite hobby was fly fishing and he excelled in both high school sports and academics. Eventually his work led him to Minnesota where he made a new home for his family. After over 30 years of holding successful corporate positions, Clarke turned entrepreneur with his own business, Freedom Cars Mobility Store in WBL. He made the store special and he was proud that he was able to help so many wonderful people with mobility concerns. He was always curious and had a passion to learn more about the world, the universe and new scientific discoveries. He relished works by Isaac Asimov, Stephen Hawking and other great writers. He also enjoyed the simple things like working on his home, listening to classical music, travelling, bike riding, playing cribbage, attending theater, dancing wherever the music was playing and paddle boating on the pond next to his backyard. Whether over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, Clarke could make your day with a quiet smile and clever comment. His mind could frolic among the words of any conversation and he would offer a good-natured remark from an unexpected direction that caused merriment to all. His greatest loves were his wife of over 20 years, his children and grandchildren, his cats and, of course, Crystal Gayle.