1930
Dr
2013
Dr Arthur Clarkson McKay
October 17, 1930 — January 5, 2013
Dr. Arthur Clarkson McKay Jr., of Amarillo, died Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, after a courageous seven-month battle against cancer.
Memorial services will be at 4 p.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia.
Art was born Oct. 17, 1930, in Amarillo to Arthur Clarkson McKay Sr. and Elizabeth Anne White McKay. He graduated in 1949 from Amarillo High School. He received an associate’s degree from Amarillo College in 1951 and Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Optometry degrees in 1955 from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon.
Art served as a medic in the U.S. Army from 1955 – 1957. After moving back to Amarillo, he taught science and coached golf at Palo Duro High School for one year, then began his optometry practice in Amarillo in June of 1959. He retired in 1999.
Art married Ann Moyer on Sept. 5, 1959. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church for more than 70 years, serving as a deacon, elder and Sunday School teacher. He and Ann sponsored countless church youth activities while their children were growing up. Art also coached several Kids Inc. teams and taught his children swimming, golf, and tennis.
Upon retirement Art joined the Amarillo Rotary Club and participated for several years in the Rotary’s Holdup program. Art was very active in the Amarillo High School 50th Alumni Association, and helped to plan many class reunions. He also enjoyed gardening, refinishing furniture, travelling to visit family, and attending sporting events at Amarillo High School, Amarillo College, and WTA&M University. His favorite activity during retirement, however, was playing golf with the other four members of a “fivesome” of friends - Jim Moss, Bob Posey, Bob Andrew, and Clyde Israel.
Survivors include his loving wife of 53 years, Ann Moyer McKay; two daughters, Susan McKay Hoyl and husband Steve of Amarillo, and Beth McKay Wilson and husband Blake of Dallas; two sons, Tom McKay and wife Lacretia of Amarillo, and Jim McKay and wife Renee’ of Dallas; 10 grandchildren, Hayden Hoyl, Hillary Hoyl, Ben Wilson and wife Kristin, Megan Wilson Gibson and husband Curtis, Meredith Wilson Rowley and husband Michael, Olivia Bybee, Harley McKay, Elaina McKay, Maddie McKay and Jack McKay; one great-grandchild, Genevieve Gibson; two sisters-in-law, Jane Moyer Harris, and Joyce Moyer Cockrell; a brother-in-law, Ned Moyer; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Art was the patriarch of our family, a man of the highest integrity who led by example with a quiet strength and dignity. He was a selfless husband, an exemplary father and grandfather, and a patient teacher. He will be remembered as a loving family man and a kind and helpful person who volunteered in the community, gave time and money to many worthy causes, and always rooted for the underdog. He will be greatly missed by family, friends, and former patients. Those of us who knew and loved Art McKay will keep his memory forever in our hearts.
A special thanks to all those who cared for him and our family at Harrington Cancer Center and BSA Hospice. The family suggests that memorials be sent to Harrington Cancer Center, Olivia’s Angels, Opportunity School, or a charity of choice.
Memorial services will be at 4 p.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia.
Art was born Oct. 17, 1930, in Amarillo to Arthur Clarkson McKay Sr. and Elizabeth Anne White McKay. He graduated in 1949 from Amarillo High School. He received an associate’s degree from Amarillo College in 1951 and Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Optometry degrees in 1955 from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon.
Art served as a medic in the U.S. Army from 1955 – 1957. After moving back to Amarillo, he taught science and coached golf at Palo Duro High School for one year, then began his optometry practice in Amarillo in June of 1959. He retired in 1999.
Art married Ann Moyer on Sept. 5, 1959. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church for more than 70 years, serving as a deacon, elder and Sunday School teacher. He and Ann sponsored countless church youth activities while their children were growing up. Art also coached several Kids Inc. teams and taught his children swimming, golf, and tennis.
Upon retirement Art joined the Amarillo Rotary Club and participated for several years in the Rotary’s Holdup program. Art was very active in the Amarillo High School 50th Alumni Association, and helped to plan many class reunions. He also enjoyed gardening, refinishing furniture, travelling to visit family, and attending sporting events at Amarillo High School, Amarillo College, and WTA&M University. His favorite activity during retirement, however, was playing golf with the other four members of a “fivesome” of friends - Jim Moss, Bob Posey, Bob Andrew, and Clyde Israel.
Survivors include his loving wife of 53 years, Ann Moyer McKay; two daughters, Susan McKay Hoyl and husband Steve of Amarillo, and Beth McKay Wilson and husband Blake of Dallas; two sons, Tom McKay and wife Lacretia of Amarillo, and Jim McKay and wife Renee’ of Dallas; 10 grandchildren, Hayden Hoyl, Hillary Hoyl, Ben Wilson and wife Kristin, Megan Wilson Gibson and husband Curtis, Meredith Wilson Rowley and husband Michael, Olivia Bybee, Harley McKay, Elaina McKay, Maddie McKay and Jack McKay; one great-grandchild, Genevieve Gibson; two sisters-in-law, Jane Moyer Harris, and Joyce Moyer Cockrell; a brother-in-law, Ned Moyer; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Art was the patriarch of our family, a man of the highest integrity who led by example with a quiet strength and dignity. He was a selfless husband, an exemplary father and grandfather, and a patient teacher. He will be remembered as a loving family man and a kind and helpful person who volunteered in the community, gave time and money to many worthy causes, and always rooted for the underdog. He will be greatly missed by family, friends, and former patients. Those of us who knew and loved Art McKay will keep his memory forever in our hearts.
A special thanks to all those who cared for him and our family at Harrington Cancer Center and BSA Hospice. The family suggests that memorials be sent to Harrington Cancer Center, Olivia’s Angels, Opportunity School, or a charity of choice.
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