Obituary for Donald McKay

Donald Marion McKay, age 95, a longtime resident of Ponca City entered in his heavenly home on April 6, 2015. He joins many family members who had gone before him; his wife Nancy Hester McKay, his parents, 6 sisters (Marguerite, Sylvia, Irene, Jean, Doris and an infant sister Jewell, 1 brother (Frank), one son-law, Art Austin, a nephew, Mike McKay and a niece, Kay Evans. Don was born May 18th, 1919, in Independence, Kansas, son of Benjamin Franklin McKay and Sylvia Ada Rudd McKay. The McKay’s moved to Ponca City where Don attended McKinley grade school and graduated from Ponca City High School in 1938. Don loved playing football in high school and was given the nicknames of “Blackie” and “Cotton.” After graduation Don attended Northern Oklahoma College playing football and transferred to Oklahoma A & M playing on their freshmen football team. Don met Henry Iba during the time he played freshmen football.

He served his country during WWII by joining the US Army in 1941 and served in the Field Artillery. He was honorably discharged in 1945 and earned the rank of Captain during his years in the Army reserves.

After the war, Don returned to Oklahoma A & M and was on the Oklahoma A & M golf team and lettered in golf in 1946. Don was always impressed that when he saw Henry Iba after the war he remembered his name. Don joined the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and served as their president in 1947. Don met a Kappa Delta, Nancy Hester at Oklahoma A & M and they were engaged and then married at First Presbyterian Church in Ponca City in January 1949.

Don began his work career as a salesman at Industrial Welding supply upon their marriage. Their family was completed with 2 daughters, Marsha and Paula. Don loved the game of golf and won many tournaments in Ponca City over the years. Don always said he met the nicest people playing golf. Marsha was a junior at OSU and Paula was a junior at Po-Hi when their mom passed away in 1971. Don remained a faithful Dad to them and extended his love on to his sons in law and families, his grandchildren and one great granddaughter, Elise, who he gave the name, the Queen.

Don knew he had lived a long and good life and lived life in the most positive way he could but was ready to go. He moved to Westminster Village in 2007 and lived in a Villa, Assisted Living Apt. and finally in his Apt. in nursing. Don formed many close relationships with the staff and other residents over the years and was reconnected with lifelong friends, the late Victor Webb and Harold Fisher. Don loved sports his whole life and he and Nurse Mark would discuss sports a lot together but his favorite college team was of course OSU. He would have meals in his room if an important game was on.

Don leaves behind his family of which he loved and was so very proud of: his daughters, Marsha Austin of Edmond, Paula Cavett and husband, Dick Cavett of Georgetown, TX. One brother, John and wife, Jerry of Irving, TX; 4 grandchildren, Zach Austin of OKC, Amanda and Chris Becker of Edmond, Kimberly Dawn Cavett of Austin, TX and Mark and Carrie Cavett of Stillwater, OK; several nieces and nephews: Peggy Worl, Jean Ann Jamison, Tip and Jerry McKay, Karla and Skip Munroe, John and Debbie McKay and Darren and Bob Minus, Glen Tipton and his wife Teresa , several great nephews and great nieces and several great, great nieces and great, great nephews. Don also leaves behind a loving church family especially Glenda Gartside who visited Don almost every Sunday after he stopped driving to church. Also, thanks to Mary Ann Holt, Barbara and Harold Younger and Dr. Bruce Taylor who visited Don at Via Christi and the times he was in the hospital and also many members who served him communion. One last friend of my dad’s who faithfully visited him was Ed O’Neill. He was a former coffee drinking buddy and it always brought him joy to visit Don.

Services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2015 at the Hope Chapel at Odd Fellows Cemetary, of Ponca City, with Dr. Bruce Taylor of the First Presbyterian Church officiating. Memorials contributions can be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1505 E. Grand, Ponca City, OK 74604. A family visitation will be held at Trout Funeral home on Wednesday, April 8th, 2015 from 6.p.m. until 8 p.m.

Source: Trout Funeral Home