News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
James Robert McKay, 85, of Albany, passed away December 17 after a long illness.
Bob was born in Brownsville to Juanita Mae Wells and William H. McKay, Sr. He grew up in Toledo and lived there until he joined the U.S. Navy. He served on the USS Whippoorwill in the South Pacific during World War II.
In 1948, Bob married Carol Jean Ryals of Albany. They had three children: Carrie, Mike and Ann.
He worked with his father-in-law, Gordon P. Ryals at Ryals Truck Service until he formed McKay Truck Line in 1973 with his children, Carrie and Mike.
He was member of Masonic Lodge 17 of Albany, the Elks Lodge, and the Linn County Sheriff's Posse. Bob was involved in his community and very civic-minded.
In 1976, Bob married Carolyn E. FitzJohn of Lebanon.
For many years the McKay family enjoyed their cabin in Sisters, which they used while skiing, fishing, hunting and trail riding. Bob and Carolyn spent much of their time in Sisters enjoying the outdoors and good friends. They were known for hosting campouts on their property during the Sisters Rodeo, when family and friends gathered for a weekend of barbecue, campfires and cowboy songs.
Bob was an avid trail rider and introduced many people to the joy of seeing the mountains from horseback. His love for horses carries on in friends and family.
Bob is survived by his wife, Carolyn McKay; sister Hazel Mason; sister-in-law Arlene McKay; daughter Carrie McKay; son Mike McKay and wife Paula; daughter Ann Thomas and husband John; grandchildren Rachel and Bret Hughes, Morgan and Bryan Wadlow, Leslie and Brian Lott, and Justin Thomas; and great-grandchildren Avery and Jack Hughes.
He was preceded in death by sister Betty Jean Roberts and husband Dean; brother William McKay Jr .; and brother-in-law D. Jon Mason.
A luncheon celebrating Bob's life will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, January 6, at the Linn County Fair and Expo Center.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to OSU Linn County 4-H Club, P.O. Box 765, Albany, OR 97321; Linn County Animal Rescue, LCAR, P.O. Box 2669, Lebanon, OR 97355, lcarhorse.org; or Equine Outreach Inc., 63220 Silvis Rd., Bend, OR 97701, www.equineoutreach.com.
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