Melvin "Mac" Robert McKay
November 15, 1929 - November 3, 2024
Melvin Robert McKay or as the family called him “Mac” was born November 15, 1929 to Rob and Leeta McKay. He passed away on November 3, 2024 at the age of 94 years, 11 months, 19 days. Mac began his life in Shamrock, Oklahoma and lived in Creek County, Oklahoma until the 1940’s when his family moved to California.
Mac was a proud veteran and served as a paratrooper. He enlisted on March 4, 1946 in Oklahoma City in the regular army. Months before his death, he admitted to his nephews how scary the first jump was from the plane. He loved talking about his service and the various jobs he had held in his life.
Mac was a gentle soul who often sat in the background with a sweet smile. He rarely raised his voice or inserted his opinion. He spent most of adult life trying to make others happy especially his wife Wanda. Mac’s life was filled with the adventure of living in many states in the company
of his wife Wanda Faye McKay. They lived in Oklahoma, Tennessee, California, Alaska and Arkansas. Wanda and Mac met when he was dating Wanda’s best friend in Chandler, Oklahoma. They married on April 7, 1949 and celebrated their 75th anniversary in the spring of 2024.
After marrying, they immediately moved to California. When they first came to California, they lived in Pinole next to Mac’s brother Cled. One of the things Mac and Wanda enjoyed was being part of a radio club in the bay area. Because they had to have a radio name, the two took on
the names Batman and Robin. They also enjoyed dancing and water skiing with friends. A large part of their lives was devoted to children. They adopted two boys, Jody and Jim in the 1960s and took in foster children Candy, Pam and Dean.
Mac moved to Valdez, Alaska in the 1970s where he worked for Alyeska Oil Company. Before his retirement, he was the manager of the Exxon Valdez station. One of his last duties was to investigate the oil spill there in Valdez. The intended short time in Alaska lasted until 1991 when he and Wanda moved back to Chandler, Oklahoma where they stayed for two years. A visit to Arkansas with Mac’s sister led them to Rogers, Arkansas where they settled for the remainder of their lives. Wanda was able to have a yard full of beautiful flowers and continue traveling with Mac in the motor home, spending at least one winter as winter Texans.
Mac was preceded in death by his wife Wanda Faye McKay, his father Robert A. McKay, his mother Mary Leeta McKay, older brother Cled McKay, sister Ruth Williamson, and son Jody McKay.
He is survived by son James Austin McKay (Jim), brother JD McKay and sisters Louise Lang and Carol Ott. He is also survived by foster children Pam Evans and Dean Miller. He is survived by granddaughters Sadie McKay and Claire McKay. He is survived by greatgrandson Sterling McKay, son of Sadie. He is also survived by foster grandson Chris Evans (Danielle) and great grandchildren Easton and Maddox; foster granddaughter Mikayla (Jody) Davis and great grandchildren Mystyn Hankins, Kason Hankins, Zaedyn Hankins, Briley Davis and Aylen Davis; and foster grandson Cody Evans. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and many close friends who considered him family.
Benton County Memorial Park, Rogers, AR
Bill Schnell
Mac was one of my first supervisors at PV/OMS. I always thought he was an excellant Supervisor and very fair. Great loss.