03/04/1981
Robert Cameron McKay, 57, a partner in the McKay-Fee Insurance Agency, died Wednesday, March 4, 1981, at Mercy Hospital Des Moines.
Services were held on March 7 at St. Anthony’s Church with Father Philip Ryan officiating. The interment was in Graceland Cemetery.
Rosary services were held on March 6 at Evans-McCleery Funeral Home.
Military rites were accorded by Baty Tucker American Legion Post 168 and John Meyers V.F.W. Past 3519.
Mr. McKay’s six sons were pallbearers.
He was born Nov. 11, 1923, at Osceola, the son of Kenneth and Vera Shaffer McKay:
The family moved to Knoxville in 1925 when his father started the insurance business.
A 1941 graduate of Knoxville High School, he entered the Navy Air Corps on June 3, 1944, and was discharged in September 1945. He was recalled on April 3, 1952, and served in the Marine Air Force as a fighter pilot during the Korean Conflict. His meritorious service earned him the Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the Air Medal with four stars, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Korean Service Medal with three stars. He was discharged on March 10, 1954.
He married Patricia Bass on Oct. 6, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan.
He joined his late father in the insurance business in Knoxville in 1947.
Mr. McKay was named Jaycee Boss of the Year in 1967 and was presented with the Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award in 1968.
He was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, where he served as a teacher and participated in several church activities.
He served several years on the Marion County Fair Board, holding the office of vice president at one time. He was a member of the Racing Committee, secretary of the Knoxville Planning and Zoning Board, was a member of the board of directors of Westridge Nursing Home and Pine Knolls Country Club. At one time he served on the Selective Service Commission.
Mr. McKay was a member of the Professional Insurance Association and the Independent Insurance Agents Association.
Survivors include his wife, Patricia; sons, Daniel, Rt. 1 Otley; Robert, Bellingham, WA.; John, Mason City; Michael, Tempe, Az.; Steve, Fort Worth, Texas and Chris of Knoxville; three daughters, Mrs. Jerry (Kathy) Swank of Rt. 1 Otley; Patricia McKay, Joplin, Mo. And Margaret McKay of Knoxville; mother, Mrs. Vera McKay, of Knoxville; two brothers, Dr. Kenneth McKay of Davenport and Dr. Richard McKay of Waterloo and nine grandchildren.