Max Mckay

Robert Max McKay, a life-long resident of Putnam County, passed from this earth to his heavenly home on July 16, 2016. Max was born on November 20, 1937, in Centerville, IA, the second son of Thomas F. and Dorothy G. (Dixon) McKay. His youth was spent attending the Fife School and Unionville High School until he graduated in 1955. He worked for a time in Cedar Rapids in 1955-56 and also spent time serving in the National Guard starting in 1959. However, most of his life was spent in devotion to working his family farm while establishing a revered reputation as a quality cattleman and helping his wonderful wife, Leona, raise their two children.

Max accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at age 15 at the Wesley Chapel Church where his family attended and served regularly. His grandparents, Lora A. and Della M. (Hibbs) Dixon, Arl and Laura (Taylor) McKay, along with his parents and older brother Lora Franklin were very influential on Max in his formative years. Wesley Chapel was Max and his family’s church home until it’s closing in the early 1980’s. Max reaffirmed his faith in 2015.

Max and Leona Caroline (Daily) McKay were united in holy matrimony on March 15, 1966 and to this union was born two children, Michael Brandon and Michelle Anne. The couple happily raised their family on their farm north of Unionville. He and Leona were blessed with 35 years of marriage until her death from cancer on June 4, 2001. Max worked for Con-Agra and later PSF for a few years until he was able to retire from work and farming in 2008 when he then turned his farming operation over to his daughter Michelle and husband Jason and his two grandchildren, Jacey Anne and Ryan Joseph Valentine.

Max enjoyed spending time with family, friends, and discussing farming, sports and politics. Some of his best times were spent playing football for the UHS as a Midget and on the ball diamond at Temp’s Midway Store when he was just a young boy. He never lost the love of either game and enjoyed attending football games with his various friends. He was his son, Michael’s, biggest fan during his Midget football days in the 1980’s. He continued to enjoy watching various sports with college football being his favorite along with the PC Midgets.

Years after the death of both their spouses, Max had a special companion, Audrey E. Anderson, who survives. They were a comfort and joy for one another during the past few years as Audrey was the main care-taker for Max during his almost 4 year battle with cancer. She and Max enjoyed watching the St. Louis Cardinals baseball together as well as other activities. She held a very special place in his heart and will always be appreciated beyond words and loved very dearly.

Max is survived by a son, Michael McKay of Kirksville, MO, and a daughter, Michelle Valentine and her husband Jason, of Unionville, MO, and two grandchildren, Jacey and Ryan Valentine. A host of family and friends also survive.

In addition to his parents, Max was preceded in death by his wife in 2001, and a brother, Lora McKay.

Funeral services for Max McKay will be at Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, at 10:00 am on Thursday, July 21, 2016, with interment at the Unionville Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the Unionville Cemetery and may be entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565