George Oliver McKay, Jr.

George was born October 18, 1938, in Des Moines, Iowa to George and Geraldine (Dixon) McKay. He died December 29, 2017 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center surrounded by family.

George graduated from Technical High School in 1958. He was on the diving team at North High School where he earned third place in a State Swimming Competition. He transferred to Technical High School to pursue his passion for woodworking where he made several pieces of furniture that were displayed at the school. While in school, George met Barbara Brown at Good Park and knew she would be his wife. The couple married on October 18, 1958 and celebrated 59 years of marriage. Directly out of high school, George worked as a carpenter making windows, then for Fry Manufacturing making carbon paper for five years, and later at Armstrong Tire Company.

George became acquainted with Jehovah’s Witnesses by his grandmother, Mildred McKay and was later baptized in 1968 as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses where he remained faithful.

George loved thinking out of the box, always thinking of different businesses he could try. He eventually started a well-known company in Des Moines, Reliable Maintenance and then Ankeny Dry Cleaners.

Most of all, George loved his family and was proud of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He never met a stranger and touched the lives of many people. His family was always surprised at the number of people he knew. George worked hard, had a positive attitude and a generous spirit.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; three children, Machele Lugo of Phoenix, AZ, Keith (Stephanie) McKay of Des Moines, IA and George (Cheryl) McKay of Aurora, CO; five siblings, Leona Clayburn, Geraldine Baker, Angela Lewis, Christine Jordan and Ramona Moore; 10 grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren. George was preceded in death by his parents, George and Geraldine McKay; siblings, Michael McKay, Wiley McKay, Mildred Henderson and Constance Jones.

Services will be held at Hamilton’s, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, IA on Friday, January 5, 2018 at 2 p.m. and visitation on Thursday, January 4, 2018, from 5 to 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Jehovah’s Witnesses. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Print