Don Wetzel McKay

Don Wetzel McKay was 100 years old when he passed away into The LORDs Paradise on April 5th, 2020 in Dallas TX.   The Family will attend Graveside Funeral Services at 11:00 AM on Saturday April 18th at the Holly Tree Cemetery located just north of the main entrance to Holly Lake Ranch, 1620 FM 2869, Hawkins, TX 75765.

Because of the current Pandemic and Governmental guidelines, there will not be a formal visitation, but everyone is encouraged to visit Lowe Funeral Home - in family groups or individually for viewing on Thursday and Friday – April 16th & 17th from Noon to 8:00 PM.  You may also, record your condolences on website; lowefuneralhome.net.  The Graveside service is open to all friends and Family (in groups by family), as long as Pandemic distancing and mask rules are observed.  After all the Covid19 turmoil subsides, we will have a memorial service at Webb Chapel Church of Christ in Farmers Branch (Dallas) where he was a member.

Don was born about 5 miles East of Ferris, TX, near the farming community of India on March 16, 1920 to John Harley and Ila Mae (Moyers) McKay.  Don grew up the oldest child - on a cotton farm, during the Depression.  The whole family, which included 3 younger brothers (Robbie L, James D., and J.H) and the youngest, a sister named Peggy Sue, all worked on the farm and went to school.  Don W. Graduated from Ferris High School in 1937 and joined the CCC.  He worked for the US Government Conservation Corps- building roads in Oregon and Wyoming until his 18th birthday.  Soon after her Graduation in 1939, Don and Marcine Garrett were married in Ferris TX.  They attended Ferris Church of Christ and both baptized on the same cold winter day when Don was 19 years old.  During World War II Don served in the Army, stationed near Manilla, Philippines, He was trained for Signal Corps “Forward Observer” action, but when he arrived in Manilla the Army assigned him to Allied POW repatriation.  After the War, Don went to work for TIMCO (Chance Vaught, LTV, E Systems, that became part of Raytheon), where he remained until retirement. 

 Don and Marcine were members of the Holly Lake Church of Christ for 22 years. Marcine went to be with The LORD in 2004, she is also buried at Holly Tree Cemetery.  During the past few year’s Don W. was a member of the Webb Chapel Church of Christ in Farmers Branch (Dallas area).  His life was kind of centered around the Churches he and Marcine attended through the years.  Ferris, Beckley Heights in Oak Cliff, Broadway in Garland, Maybank near Cedar Creek, Holly Lake, and Webb Chapel in Farmers Branch.

Don is survived by his brother Robbie L. McKay (wife Marilyn deceased) and sister Peggy Sue Battagliola (husband Harry deceased), both of Dallas; his surviving son,    Don Garrett McKay and daughter-in- law Suzie McKay. These loved ones have preceded Don W. into Eternity Life; his wife Marcine, his brother James David McKay and wife Jean Davis McKay; his oldest son Jack Hudson McKay, Jacks wife Dawn Daugherty McKay, and their oldest grandson Cody Edward Wood. 

With large families there are many special loving Nieces and Nephews surviving their Uncle Don; including Jon & Nancy N. Walker, Richard & Cathy Amberry, Suzanne & Bob Gray, & ANNALISA;  Lou Ann & Randy Morse, Darrell & Debbie McKay, Gary Dan & Rhonda McKay;  Larry & Karen McKay, Ken & Judy Perkins, and Steve McKay.

Also Surviving are 6 grandchildren, Clarinda Dawn McKay, Christopher Alan McKay & granddaughter in law, Kim McCauley McKay; Melinda Paige McKay, Molly Wood & her spouse, grandson-in-law Sammy Wood, Dennis Scott McKay & granddaughter-in-law, Kellie Marie McKay; and Joshua Hudson McKay & wife granddaughter-in-law Allison McKay.

Don Wetzel’s surviving Great Grandchildren number 9 beautiful souls:  They are  Jessica , *Evan, Austin, **Emilee Porter, Casey, Avery, Grace, Benjamin and Abigail McKay.                                        

*Megan Lett McKay is Evan’s wife,                                                                                                  **Scott Porter is Emilee’s husband.   

Then there are Dons five wonderful Great-great grandchildren:   Braxton & Keely Mincey are Jessica’s children; Ameliah & Mavis McKay are Austin’s children, and Miles Everett McKay is Evan & Megan’s son.

Too numerous to mention all, are the wonderful close friends and neighbors of the family throughout the years.  All of whom contributed to the joy and happiness of a great social life.  Things were very different for the “Great Generation” when it came to social interaction between friends and family.  Until the smart phone and computer generation, “social” meant actually getting together, seeing each other face to face, talking, worshiping, eating, playing games, and doing things together, like hunting, fishing, playing sports, and traveling.  Don and Marcine played 42, canasta, horseshoes, croquet and other fun games

Don Wetzel McKay was a good Christian man, full of love for his family and friends.  He loved The LORD and was definitely a good example.  He lived a spiritual leaders life (through much Grace and Mercy) to the best of his ability.  He loved the LORD’s Church and it’s’ members.  With wife and partner Marcine beside him, he lived for love of family, and friends.  Marcine always said “if we can’t do anything to change things, then in all faith, we can pray about it.”   They always kept their boys in Church & actively studying the WORD (Bible).  They strived to take family vacation adventures almost every year. This encouraged their boys to be excited about travel adventure and learning:  in School activities, Church classes, camps, and even Christian College.  As a team they both worked while Marcine managed the family finances with a firm grasp.  Don W. was a teacher of common sense and generosity, and he was always supportive.

He enjoyed many activities with the family, like hunting, fishing, gardening, working hard and worship of Almighty GOD and JESUS. 

He always kept a boat with accessories like a banana boat, fishing gear, for swimming and recreation with the Grandkids, having great fun on the lake.  Don was known for his easy going hospitality and welcoming attitude towards everyone.  Don & Marcine loved to take care of the Grandchildren, to entertain & teach them about living, gardening, cooking, preserving food, creativity (or G.I.) engineering to accomplish any task!  Their parenting was full of encouragement and discipline.  Jack raised animals all the time while growing up and attending the Dallas County 4-H club with brother Don Garrett.    Raising their own food was just a normal way of life in the McKay family.   

So many friends, neighbors, and Golf buddies (too numerous to mention all) became very important in Dons life - like adopted family after his wife of 65 years, Marcine passed away in 2004.  Jim & Vickie Shaw, Larry Roesch, Peggy Sullivan and Lahoma Cox, just to name a few of those wonderful people.  Once Jim Shaw had to rescue Don from the roof of his house because he got up there to blow off pine needles, and then could not get down. Larry Roesch helped Don recover from his sinking boat that was missing the drain plug from the bottom of the boat.   Peggy, Lahoma, and Vickie kept Don in great culinary treats for years.

Special thanks are extended to all the caregivers who helped take care of Don W McKay during his last few years;  including Doctors’ Walker, Kampas, and Singer in Dallas, the staff at Treemont / Emerson Senior Living in Dallas, Group Home staff in Allen and Richardson;  Ayasha, Susan, Abigail, and Bryan, who were all very attentive to the end of Don’s life, and Carepath Hospice Nurse Lana Lewis.

Memorial Contributions in honor of Don may be directed to, Camp Deer Run, 1227 CR 4590, Winnsboro, TX 75494 or by visiting www.campdeerrun.com/donate.