Welby "Dude" O. McKay

Welby O. "Dude" McKay, 90, of Traverse City, Michigan passed away peacefully on September 23rd, 2013. He was born to the late Welby Otho and Syble McKay (Killion) on August 21, 1923, in Farmer City, IL. Dude graduated from Stephen Decatur High School in 1941. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army Air Corps 33rd Fighter Squadron in 1945 after being awarded four bronze service stars and a good conduct medal for his service in the South Pacific. He graduated from Millikin University in 1950. On January 29, 1948 he married Agnes Schlachter. They resided in Decatur, IL and were members of Pilgrim Lutheran Church until 2006 when they relocated to Traverse City and joined St. Michael Lutheran Church. Dude was employed by Grohne Co. from 1949 until his retirement in 1990. Dude is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Agnes, and his children, Deborah (Robert) Hunt of Southlake, TX; Laura (Wayne) Okimi of Chesterfield, MO; Julie (Brian) Idle of North Palm Beach, FL and Douglas (Libby) McKay of Traverse City, MI. One sister, Charlotte A. McKay, and one son, Mark Killion McKay, preceded him in death. Also surviving to cherish his memory are his beloved grandchildren: Leslie Vanatta, Clayton (Lindsay) Idle, Blake Idle, Jillian Idle, Rachel Okimi, Jason Okimi, Holly Hunt, Jack McKay and Teddy McKay. Dude was an avid golfer since being introduced to the game at the age of nine when he began work as a caddy. He went on to be the captain of the Millikin University Golf Team. In Decatur he won the City Junior, City Amateur and City Senior Tournaments. He also won club championships at South Side Country Club and Hickory Point Golf Club. He was fortunate to experience a hole-in-one four times. Although Dude had many exciting golf rounds throughout his lifetime, one of his most memorable may have been his last, when, at the age of 86, he just missed shooting his age at Arcadia Bluffs. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 12th at St. Michael Lutheran Church in Traverse City. Rev. James Nihiser will officiate. Memorials may be sent to St. Michael Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 5945, Traverse City, MI 49696. Please feel free to share your thoughts and memoires with Dude’s family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Service.

Welby "Dude" O. McKay

August 21, 1923 - September 23, 2013