May 4, 1935-June 25, 2025

Say not in grief “he is no more” but live in thankfulness that he was.

     John Walter McKillop was born in Duluth MN, the youngest of 5, to Scottish immigrants Thomas and Margaret (Daisy McCracken) McKillop. Jack was proud of his Scottish heritage, even acquiring 1 sq. ft. of land in Scotland and the honorary title, “Lord McKillop.”

     Jack enjoyed telling stories of his family and his humble beginnings in Duluth’s, “West End”, on Helm Street and into his adulthood on 27th Ave. West. There, he experienced the love and loss of his parents to illness, and his brother Thomas to World War II.  Through those years Jack developed into and remained an exemplary model of the “Silent” Generation - faith in God, traditional values, strong work ethic, respect for authority, resiliency, loyalty, and a pragmatic approach to life. 

     From his early years at Monroe Elementary and Lincoln Junior High to Denfeld High School and UMD Jack was an outstanding student both academically and athletically. His scrapbooks are filled with letters of achievement and newspaper articles abound of his athletic feats (his mother proudly clipped and saved throughout his young life.)

     A proud Denfeld Alum Class of 1953, Jack graduated with honors and was crowned Homecoming King.  He kept in touch with classmates and always looked forward to his class reunions. At Denfeld, Jack received scholarships to attend and play basketball for the UMD Bulldogs.  At 6’4” this teams’ captain became a star, leading his team to many victories.  He still holds the 35th position for 1009 points from 1954-1957 in the “Career Leader 1000 Point Club” of UMD Men’s Basketball Alum.  His college career also earned him mention in “Who’s Who in America”. 

     After college in 1958 Jack joined the 148th Fighter Wing/Air National Guard of MN.  Again, he played basketball for the 179th Basketball team, winning many state championships. He was honorably discharged in 1961.  Jack then went on to work in management for US Steel in Duluth and Mintac in Virginia, MN, (where he moved in 1973) until his retirement.  After retiring he also had a brief, but successful career as a Realtor for Century 21 Edwards.

       Jack lived on “Northside” for 52 years until moving to Edgewood Vista in Duluth in 2023.  Throughout his life he enjoyed bowling, fishing, gardening, and playing the stock market.

       He will be missed by his family and those he met along the way including neighbors, church patrons, and friends. To all, Jack was “just a nice guy” who could converse with anybody about anything, a soft spoken, gentle giant who touched many hearts.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, 4 siblings, and 2 nephews, his beloved son Johnny (“Fudd” to Jack), and his dear companion, Peggy Dodge.

     He is survived by Stepchildren Mike (Terri) Nystrom and family, Jill Tuura and son Corey Tuura, Michelle Nystrom, and Mary Nystrom as well as many McKillop descendants/nephews and nieces and their families whom all held a place of “unconditional love” in their Uncle Jack’s heart.

     A memorial service will be held August 4th at 11 am at Hope Presbyterian Church, 212 South 5th Avenue, Virginia, MN. Jack requested any memorials to be sent to the Hope Presbyterian Church Fund.    

Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home, in Virginia.  To express condolences online please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.