Owen’s Obituary

Owen Julian McKinnon rocketed into this world promptly on his due date, September 23, at 1:15 a.m., after a scant three hours of (unintentionally unmedicated) labor. He clocked in at a solid 8 lbs 9 oz, 22”, and an 8/9 apgar.

Owen spent the remainder of his life at Children's Hospital fighting idiopathic pulmonary hypertension, which the doctors concluded was terminal and likely caused by a severe lung disease called ACD (alveolar capillary dysplasia). After 8 weeks of fighting, Owen passed peacefully in his mother’s arms overlooking the entire Front Range from the hospital helipad, ushering in our first snow.

(thank you to maddie, the incredible nurse pictured here)

Owen was surrounded by adoring nurses and family who couldn’t get enough of squeezing his cute little thighs and admiring his flat fingers pressed tightly to his chest like a true gentleman. He made friends with all of them, learning to play the maraca and becoming a rapid Kansas City Chiefs fan in the process. Family and friends near and far spoiled Owen with stuffed animals, balloons, rattles, and most of all, love and prayers.

While Owen was with us only a short time, his life was not lived in vain. He inspired kindness and empathy in many, caused his parents to be reborn as better people, stirred several of his nurses to rethink their approach to medicine, and left a legacy of love and compassion.