George "Judd" McKinnon

George "Judd" McKinnon, 87, Edina, MN, formerly of Grand Forks, ND and Crookston, MN, died on December 2 at Care Suites by Vivie in Edina after a long illness.

George Dawson McKinnon, Jr. was born in Grand Forks, ND on March 1, 1938, the son of George D. and Ellen R. (Bell) McKinnon. Judd was baptized, confirmed, and attended grade school at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and School in Grand Forks. He attended St. James High School in Grand Forks for one year and later graduated from Grand Forks Central in 1956.

After high school, Judd attended the University of North Dakota for two years before enlisting in the North Dakota National Guard. He was activated in 1961 with the 231st Medical Clearing Co., during which time he was awarded the Berlin Crisis National Emergency Service Ribbon by the State of North Dakota.

Judd married Jean Lynn Bostrom in 1961 in Grand Forks.

Judd graduated from Mayville State University in 1963. He later took graduate-level courses at the University of North Dakota, Moorhead State University, and St. Cloud State University. He attended North Dakota National Guard Officers Candidate school between 1962 and 63 and received an honorable discharge in 1964.

Judd taught high school Social Studies from 1965 to 1975. From 1965–68, he taught and coached basketball at Michigan Public High School in Michigan, ND, and from 1968–75, he taught and coached basketball at Fertile Public Schools, Fertile, MN. While working in Fertile, MN, Judd received an “Honored Teacher Award” and served as Vice President of the Fertile Teachers Association.

Judd and his family lived in Crookston, MN, from 1968 to 1986. He belonged to many service organizations over the years – Grand Forks and Crookston Jaycees, Eagles, Elks, American Legion, and the Knights of Columbus. Judd served two terms as Grand Knight of the Crookston Council #1216 and was selected “Knight of the Year” for his work with that council in 1983-84. While serving as Grand Knight, he received a Minnesota State Council Achievement Award.

He also served on the Board of Directors of the Crookston Boxing Club and enjoyed helping the youth of the area develop their skills.

Judd retired from teaching and coaching in 1975, joining the staff of McKinnon Co., Inc., beverage wholesalers in Northeast ND and Northwest MN. He served on the State Board of Directors of the Minnesota Beer Wholesalers’ Association and became President of McKinnon Co., Inc., serving in that capacity from 1993-2000. During that time, Judd received the Pabst Blue Ribbon award for improvement in on-premises distribution of product and received five Miller Awards for Number one in the market served. In 1987, McKinnon Co., Inc. was rated the top Miller distributor in the State of North Dakota.

Judd and Philip Omdahl formed the Dakota Brewing Co. in late Summer 1989. Through contract brewing arrangements, they brewed Roughrider “American” Lager, Roughrider “Light”, and Double Barrel Red Beers for over 20 years. Roughrider Lager received a Bronze Award at the Great American Festival of Beers in Denver, Colorado in 1990.

Judd enjoyed snowmobiling and belonged to the Sno-Drifters of Thief River Falls for many years. He was an avid snowmobiler and helped sponsor the Ironman 250 Race for many years. He participated in some snowmobile races himself. One notable was the Goodridge 100 Cross Country Race.

He also enjoyed golf on ND and MN golf courses with his golfing pals.

Judd also owned and operated North Border Wholesale, Inc. of Thief River Falls, MN from 1991 to 2000, serving as its President and being active in the “jobbing” business.

Judd became an owner of the Grand Forks Professional Baseball team, the Grand Forks Varmints, from 1996–98. He was able to extend his love of baseball during that time and bring baseball back to Grand Forks. He was also a loyal Minnesota Twins fan, enjoying their success in 1987-91.

Judd married Carol “Corky” Stauning Lavelle in 2008 in Grand Forks, renewing an old friendship from many years ago. They formed McKinnon Music Productions, and Judd recorded three CDs of standards, which have been sold in regional markets with success. Judd also sang live in many venues in MN and ND.

Judd served on the Parish Pastoral Council at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Grand Forks and, for many years, volunteered at the Northland Rescue Mission in Grand Forks, serving as Chairman of its Board of Directors.

Judd is survived by his children, Michael George McKinnon (Eric Bettelheim), Laura McKinnon Knox, Suzanne McKinnon Netzer (Alan), stepchildren Brandon Lavelle, Kimberly Lavelle Melin, grandchildren Christian Knox (El Langland), Eden DiPersio (Daniel), Grace Netzer (Tanner Hanson), Paige Melin, Payton Melin, great-granddaughter Louisa Jean Langland-Knox, and siblings Brenda (James) Sondreal and William (Judith) McKinnon, as well as other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Corky, and nephews Judd Blaine Sondreal and Chris Dingle.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Northland Rescue Mission in Grand Forks.

Visitation: January 9, 2026, from 5 to 7 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM, Amundson Funeral Home, 2975 South 42nd Street, Grand Forks.

Funeral Mass: January 10, 2026, at 11 AM, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 216 Belmont Road, Grand Forks.