WICHITA — David John McKay, 98, passed away on Dec. 20, 2021. He was born Jan. 1, 1923 to Henry and Anna McKay in Knockanroe Townland, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Dave was a World War II Army veteran, having served as a medic in the Philippines, New Guinea, and Australia. 

He and Mary Ann Clowers married on Jan. 30, 1946 after serving together in WWII where she nursed him back to health after he fell ill from malaria. Dave worked for Bell Telephone in New Jersey where he started as a lineman. Shortly after the birth of Dave and Mary’s first son, David, they moved from Bernardsville, New Jersey to Kansas, where they had two more sons, Daniel and Kevin. While living in La Crosse, Kan., Dave served as General Manager of Golden Belt Telephone Association for 33 years, growing the company to 17 area towns when he retired in 1988. A lifelong runner and fitness enthusiast, Dave’s daily jogging path around the Grass Park of La Crosse could be seen for decades after he and Mary relocated to Hays, where he was a regular user of the athletic facilities at Fort Hays State University. 

Dave never knew an unfamiliar face and loved sharing stories with those he met along the way. 

Dave was preceded in death by wife Mary and sons Daniel and Kevin. Survivors include his son David and wife Cher of South Carolina; daughter-in-law Tracy of Kansas; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. 

Graveside services for both Dave and Mary will be held on Jan. 15, 2022 at 2 p.m. at Fairview Park Cemetery, St. John, Kan.

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Jan. 5, 2022