Daniel Matthew McKay's Obituary
Live, Laugh, Love. Three words could not be truer as we celebrate the legacy that was Daniel Matthew McKay Dan. He lived life to the fullest, laughed often everyday and loved the many blessings of both Family and Friends that came his way. Sadly, he passed away, going quietly into Heaven on the evening of September 1, 2009. A widower his wife having passed away in 2006 he is survived by his son Keith, 43 and daughter Kellye, 32. He was born in Louisville, MS, on March 28, 1937 to a sizeable family of four brothers and one sister and grew up helping the family farm the small plot of land owned by his parents. It was not an easy life as they were far from wealthy but, the family lived a good Christian life, loving each other and the people around them and that seemed to be enough. Early on he became a person of many interests. Among them, he was an avid Numismatist, a true fan of anything sports related and a lover of all things food.
Dan carried the lessons he learned from his childhood straight into his adult life. He was thrifty, hard working and dedicated to family, faith in God and Country and friends. He was a National Guardsman while he put himself through Mississippi State University, earning a BS in Accounting in 1959. He continued in the Guard until 1965, when he received an honorable discharge. He worked a number of jobs, honing his skills as an Accountant. That part of his life helped instill in him, a deep belief that nothing is free, it is always earned. He raised his children to believe that too. He was a working member of Greggton First Baptist Church and he never met a stranger who didn t come to love him like a member of their own family. And that extended family has become very large over the years.
As he attended his children s school events his son s sports games and daughter s band performances he became a person to count on to help with the fund raising events over the years. Many people recall how he could be seen at the weekly football and basketball games. Gradually he extended his interest from high school sports to college sports as his children grew and continued their education at the college level. Of course, professional sports were of great interest too. He could always be caught with his television on one game or another.
After his retirement from ExxonMobil Pipeline after 28 years of service he decided that he wasn t ready for a life of long, lazy days just playing golf. His wife also decided that he wasn t ready to spend these newly freed up days sitting around at home. He decided to drive a bus for the sports teams at Le Tourneau University. Here is where he opened his heart and house to the many students playing the sports for which he drove the bus. When that still wasn t enough, he decided to become a volunteer tax specialist. He seemed to know when a person was in need and offered help, whether spiritually or financially. No problem was too big for Dan to try and solve. Even with his days finally full, he helped any and every person that crossed his path.
He will be greatly missed and mourned by all of those left behind. While we cannot follow him, we will follow in his footsteps and be better people for having had him in our lives.
The Viewing will be held at Rader Funeral Home of Longview on Thursday, September 3, 2009 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM. The Memorial service will be held at Greggton First Baptist Church at 10:00 AM, Friday, September 4, 2009. Burial will follow in Rosewood Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be sent to Bone Marrow Transplant Indigent Care at Baylor Healthcare System Foundation, 3600 Gaston Avenue, Barnett Tower, Suite 100, Dallas, TX, 75246.
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