Donald Robert McKillop Sr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

On Saturday May 21, 2022 Donald Robert McKillop Sr. and Patricia Ann McKillop tragically passed away near San Simon, Arizona as they traveled across the country to visit their son Donnie and his family. Don was born in New Kensington, PA son of Patricia and Donald Minor McKillop. After losing his own father in an accident at the age of five, Don’s mother supported Don and his two younger siblings on her own. Don helped out where he could, taking up a paper route at the age of 11. Upon graduation of Burrell Senior High School, Don joined the Lower Burrell police force. He then attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania majoring in criminology and becoming the first person in his family to graduate from college. After meeting and marrying his wife Patty, Don matriculated at William & Mary Law School fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming a lawyer. Don and Patty took the brave leap to move across the country to San Diego, CA so Don could join the Klinedinst law firm where he took over a branch of law and built the firm up serving as the COO, CFO and eventually becoming a partner. After 16 years with the firm, Don set up his own practice in which he specialized in defending contractors and construction companies. His love for litigation was matched by his love of sports, especially football, baseball, and golf. Patty McKillop was born to James and Virginia Hanlon in New Kensington, PA. The second to youngest of five children, Patty grew up in a loud, loving home and spent much of her childhood playing outside with her siblings and friends in her Plum neighborhood. Like her future husband Don, Patty too became the person first in her family to attend and graduate from a four-year university. Equipped with her chemical engineering degree from Penn State, Patty supported Don through law school while she worked at a bomb plant near Washington D.C. When the family relocated to San Diego, Patty became an engineer for the United States Navy. One of the few women in the field early in her career, Patty was not only a trailblazer but also rose through the ranks to become a project manager responsible for collaborating with NATO countries on military technologies and traveled the world with Don in tow. She was excited to retire in January 2022 and was looking forward to lots of time spent reading outside on her patio with her dogs. Don and Patty’s 38-year marriage was characterized by shared values of hard work, loyalty, integrity, and family. Don was the ultimate coach—his former players, his family and his friends constantly seeking his guidance and advice. Patty loved to laugh, and her kindness was only matched by her patience. Of all they accomplished in their lives, Don and Patty were most proud of their son Donnie and found so much joy watching him play football and baseball. They are survived by Donnie and his wife Kate; their grandchildren Donald III, Phoebe, Virginia, and Kate Elizabeth. Don is survived by his sister Kathi Lorent (Lee); his nephew E.J. McKillop (Alysha), niece Devan McKillop, great-niece Dakota; and his brother Gary. Patty is survived by brothers Michael and Daniel; sisters Jeanne Hamilton (Keith); Ann Yohe (John) and her nephews Jonathan (Kiersten) and Jacob Yohe. A celebration of Don and Patty’s lives will take place at the Church at Rancho Bernardo in Rancho Bernardo, CA, at 11am July 22, 2022. A celebration of life is also planned for 12pm August 19, 2022 at the Wooden Door Winery in Lower Burrell, PA. To commemorate his beloved parents, Donnie invites all those who are able to attend these services.

Donald Robert McKillop Sr.

June 20, 1959 - May 21, 2022