Well-Known Northwest Motorcyclist Irish McKinney Killed in Accident

McKinney was a generous soul, known for helping others.

Irish and Marjorie McKinney, on one of their adventures. Photo: "GoFundMe"

(SALEM, Ore.) - Longtime community advocate 56-year old Irish McKinney was killed in a tragic motorcycle accident near Needles, California on Monday, Aug. 17.

Irish was well-known to the White Center/Burien-area as both an avid Harley rider as well as a tireless fundraiser for the needy, raising over $26,000 for the White Center Food Bank in the last few years, including $15,000 last year, according to Sean Robinson.

“That was his passion- people...helping...and the motorcycle community,” Sean told The B-Town Blog.

Irish and Marjorie were in the midst of a month-long trip that included visiting friends and family, and attending a few motorcycle get-togethers.

They were en route to their next destination that fateful Monday, when about 2 p.m., in the heat of the desert, the back tire of the motorcycle blew out and they went down just west of Needles, CA.

They were both ejected from his 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle in the left hand median.

Irish was found dead at the scene. Marjorie was badly injured and was airlifted to University Medical in Las Vegas.

"We have all lost a good brother," Michael E. Campell wrote on Facebook.

"As many of his friends and motorcycle brothers would tell you, Irish lived for the road," his friend explained via GoFundMe. "It was his way of expressing freedom and love. It was the culture that had called to him at a very early age, and he was forever committed to advocating for bikers nationwide.

"Marjorie loved to ride with him. She tried to ride her own once, but that wasn’t her thing. She was his better half. Together, they were among the kindest, nicest, most accepting and loving people you could ever hope to meet. To count them as friends has been a blessing to more people than we can count."

"Myself and many of my riding sisters and brothers attended and contributed to his many fund raisers over the years. He was a great one to have around when anyone else was raising money, the guy could auction a playing card and get someone to buy it... LOL.

"Our community in Burien and White Center are grieving. Big Shoes to fill so his work doesn't fall by the wayside. RIP my friend... my brother," wrote Cindy Gosselin on facebook.

Many people were touched by Irish and many people love and care deeply for Marjorie. Family and friends have ceated a "GoFundMe" page to help Marjorie's recovery, as so many have expressed a desire to help in this time of sorrow.

This fund is to help pay for any expenses Marjorie’s has that aren’t covered by insurance. Any funds not used for her care and recovery will be donated to Irish’s favorite worthy causes.

"[He was] not only a biker, but a real great LEGEND for ALL bikers not only in the Pacific Northwest but as a national fighter for biker rights everywhere," said his friend Harley Ed.

RIP Irish. Your legacy of love and fairness lives on.

Sources include: WhiteCenterBlog, GoFundMe, Facebook, and California Highway Patrol release