George E. McKay

George E. McKay, 85, of Indialantic By-The-Sea, Florida and Gull Lake, died Friday, December 16, 2005 at home at Gull Lake.

He was born July 5, 1920, to George C. and Ella (Dole) McKay in Battle Creek.

George graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1937, attended Michigan State University and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce from Washington & Lee College. He served as a Lt (JG) in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a ship supply officer.

George served as a community leader in many ways; he was President and Chairman of the Board of Security National Bank and Trust; President and Vice President/Treasurer of Battle Creek Food Company; co-founder and Chairman of the 20th Century Guardian Life Insurance Company of Battle Creek; Treasurer of The Thermo-Seal (Insulation and Roof); and Chairman of Michigan Air Activities, Inc. He was also one of the founders and Board Chairman of WUHQ-TV41; first Board Chairman of Battle Creek Unlimited; Board Chairman of Chemical Bank in Albion; Chairman of the organizing committee of Chemical Bank of Marshall; Board member and Campaign Chairman of the United Fund and served on the boards of the Downtown Development Association and the Downtown Battle Creek Association.

In addition to his business interests, George was a longtime member of the Battle Creek Kiwanis Club, a collector of classic cars and an avid sportsman. He was a life member of both the Amateur Shooting Association and the Michigan Trap Shooting Association. He was also a member of the Barry County Conservation Club, Howard Creek Gun Club, Lakes Area Conservation Club, a former member of the Battle Creek Gun Club and a founder and life member of Centerline. George was past High Chief of the Oloboji Indians, a national shooting club; a current member of the Portage Senior Center, the Burnham Brook Center, the Coover Center of Kalamazoo; past member of the Gull Lake and Battle Creek Country Clubs; and a member of the George A. Custer American Legion Post #54.

HE was also a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Beta Gamma Sigma and Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at MSU and Washington & Lee.

George is survived by his wife, D. Elaine (Parkinson/Thomas) McKay; sons, George E. (Joan) McKay, Jr. of Battle Creek, Lee J. (Susan) McKay of Orange Park, Florida; daughters, Carol A. (William) Nothstine of Battle Creek, Margaret A. McKay of Costa Mesa, California; daughter-in-lw, Karen L. McKay of Ann Arbor; grandchildren, Tracy A. McKay of Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, Mark L. McKay of Ann Arbor, Robbert E. (Paula) McKay of Holt, Cora D. (Kevin) Witmyer of Battle Creek, Christopher A. (Nicole) Schelb of Boyne City; stepsons, Craig W. Thomas of Coram, Montana, Brent L. Thomas of Columbia Falls, Montana; stepdaughters, Gail (Chuck) Metzger and Jill A. Thomas both of Columbia Falls, Montana; step-grandchildren, Amy Jorp of Lansing, Bradford P. (Radonna) Thomas of Kalispell, Montana, Manja L. (Mario) DePiero of Cottage Grove, Oregon, Sky M. Yelinek of Kalispell, Montana, Jacab T. Greenwood of Brookings, Oregon; 12 great grandchildren and two step great grandchildren; and former wife, Idella C. (Kundo) McKay. He was preceded in death by former wives, Mary Louise (Gordon) McKay, Helen L. (Lee) McKay; and son, Gordon L. McKay.

George and Elaine enjoyed living on their boat in Florida before moving to a condo in Indialantic By-The-Sea, Florida. He loved playing bridge at every opportunity as well as trapshooting, reading, flying and boating.

Friends may call after 4:00 p.m. Tuesday at Shaw Funeral Home where family will be present from 4 until 7:oo p.m. Services will take place at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, Rev. Dr. Keith Heifner, Galesburg United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment, Augusta Cemetery. Memorial donations may go to the Michigan Trapshooting Association, 1534 Service Rd., Mason, MI 48854, or Borgess Hospice, 348 North Burdick, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, or a charity of one's choice.

The family is being served by Shaw Funeral Home.