John Scott McKinlay

Scott McKinlay
Salt Lake City, Utah

On the evening of January 17, 2022, my dad's heart stopped. He was surrounded by my mom, Cecilia, his lifelong best friend Johnny Naser and his wife, Kris. He had symptoms in 2003 and was diagnosed with myotonic dystrophy in 2008. He was born John Scott McKinlay on December 25, 1953 and raised in Richfield by mom, Lois Montgomery McKinlay, and dad, William Brent McKinlay, and is the youngest brother of Brent and Allen McKinlay. He graduated from Utah State and worked at ARUP Laboratories for 30 years, where he eventually met Cecilia Coyne (my mom). On November 1, 1991, they were married and started a family, Rachel Christine and Mary Carolyn.

He shifted gears to be a retired, stay-at-home dad to Mary and me (Rachel) in 2006. He called himself the chauffeur of the family, chef at the McKinlay Manor, homework wizard, and recess duty guy at our school. When my mom retired, they traveled as much as they could (last trip was to Panama for my mom's birthday). He walked me down the aisle and we had our father daughter dance (September 2018), and he saw Mary graduate with her Masters (April 2020).

Dad had the biggest heart and funniest jokes and stories. He made everyone smile. He hated the saying "someone lit up the room", but he made the room warm and inviting to anyone who entered or vice versa.  We will miss him.

My dad is survived by my mom; my sister,  Mary McKinlay (Graham Noteboom); me, Rachel (Marc Pennington); his brother, Brent (Alicia) McKinlay; and his McKinlay nieces: Tricia McKinlay, Hollie (Nate) Curtis, Kamie (Kirk) Kelsey, and Annie (Austin) Somers, and their families; his many cherished friends; and his adoring animals:  Minnie, Marley, his beloved cats: Bud/Eugene, Betty, and Tiger.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, William Allen.

Cremation services will be held at Magleby Mortuary and Crematory. A memorial service will be held at a later date.  Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com