McKinnon's wife, Rose, said he was being treated for a heart attack, congestive heart failure and pheumonia. McKinnon was a Thursday morning favorite on KOTS for 5 years with his "Spinnin' with McKinnon Show," billed as, "Radio the way it used to be." He played a variety of songs - many from artists whom he had personally met during his decades in radio in many Canadian and US markets. His show also focused on personality - something critics say has been lost in this area of satellite delivered radio.
McKinnon stopped being able to do his show in March due to his declining health.
McKinnon's son, Nick, said his father, a Korean war veterran, will be buried in the veteran's cemetery in Santa Fe with military honors. He will be missed.