James “Jim” A. McKay passed into the loving arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ, on May 30, 2022, in Allen, Texas, surrounded by his loving family. Jim was born February 26, 1947, to Maxie “Max” Winters McKay and Martha Irene (Stephens) McKay in Shenandoah, Iowa. He married Valeda Fay (Kunkel) Mockaitis on November 19, 1988, in Texas.
Jim attended Greenville College, Greenville, Illinois, graduating with a B.A. Degree in Physics. He achieved the rank of Sergeant in the United States Air Force while working with laser guidance systems, an interest and expertise that he continued while working for Texas Instruments (California, then Dallas) and Raytheon (Dallas). Jim served his Lord and fellow believers in many ways and was a faithful member of First Baptist Church - Allen.
Jim was a quiet, loving presence in the lives of those who knew and loved him. He was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ since accepting Him as his Savior as a child. Jim set a godly example, even as he was passing into Heaven, as to how we should live out our days on this earth. He took great delight in his family and will be dearly missed by them. They brought so much joy to him. He loved music, both listening to it and playing his trumpet and guitar. He was a very precise thinker and that was exhibited in his professional life working as an expert in laser guidance systems
Those of us who knew Jim loved to be with him and look forward to seeing him in Heaven where he is now free from illness and is seeing the Savior he served and loved.
Jim is survived by his wife, Fay McKay of Allen, Texas; two children: daughter, Shelly Dye and husband, Ross of Fairview, Tennessee; and son, Joel McKay and wife, Angela of Celina, Texas; eight grandchildren: Coal Dye and fiancé, Claire, of Nashville, Tennessee, Claire Dye and Anna Grace Dye of Fairview, Tennessee, Azura Hardin of Brooklyn, New York, Aniyah Malone and Coy Malone of Celina, Texas, Savannah McKay of Houston, Texas, and Sophie McKay of Nashville, Tennessee; sister, Cheri Wright and husband, David of Merriam, Kansas; brother, Steve McKay of Olathe, Kansas; mother of Shelly, Matthew, and Joel, Beverly Stewart; two stepdaughters: Sharon Walton of McKinney, Texas and Jo Meyer of Tampa, Florida; five step grandchildren: Rebecca Walton of Aubrey, Texas, Rachel Walton of Plano, Texas, and Noah Walton of McKinney, Texas, Darla Mahan of Enid, Oklahoma, and Robert Mahan of Tampa, Florida; and several nieces, nephews, friends, and family.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, and son, Matthew McKay.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, June 6, 2022, at First Baptist Church – Allen, 201 E McDermott Dr, Allen, TX 75002. Inurnment will follow at Fitzhugh Cemetery in Lucas, Texas.