George McKay Obituary

George Robert McKay 1/21/27 ~ 12/1/03  George Robert McKay passed away peacefully Dececember 1, 2003 to be re-united with his eternal companion, Lou Jean, who preceded him in death in 1996. We know this is a joyful reunion. George was born January 21, 1927 in Tooele Utah, the fifth of five children born to Heber J. McKay and Mabel M. (Shorten) McKay. He was raised in Tooele, Garfield and Ogden Utah. George graduated from Ogden High School in 1945. He promptly entered the Army and served his country for a year and a half at the conclusion of World War II. He continued his military service in the Utah National Guard for 34 years retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer. Dad attended Weber College and subsequently Utah State University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Arts in 1951. He later received a Masters Degree in Industrial Arts from Utah State University in 1968. George taught industrial arts at Hillside Junior High (Salt Lake District) and briefly at Mount Jordan Middle School (Jordan School District). He served as President of the Salt Lake Teachers Association, Uniserve Director for the Utah Education Association, Co-Executive Director for Granite Education Association and his longest tenure as Executive Director for Jordan Education Association. He retired from JEA in 1987. George married his teenage sweetheart, Lou Jean Rouse November 2, 1945 in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they raised five children, David, Karen, Mark, Jeff and Kathy. Mom and dad provided great examples of hard work, lots of love and laughter. His sense of humor and ability to tell a joke touched many lives. Dad served in numerous church callings. Mom even convinced him to work in the Jordan River Temple baptistery and to serve a mission with her, in the Australia-Perth Mission from August of 1993 to February 1995. At the time of his passing he was an active High Priest in the Olympus Sixth Ward, serving as home teacher and chorister for Priesthood Meeting. Dad was well known for his love of woodworking and building. He built, remodeled or added onto our home, cabin or his workshop several times. Numerous pieces of furniture were produced in his workshop. He is survived by his children, David (Teresa), Karen (Val Thurber), Mark (Nancy), Jeff (Colleen), Kathy (Randy Morris), 17 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, his sister Janice (Leon Thompson) and brother Donald (Elma). Funeral services will be held Saturday, Dec. 6th at 12 noon at the Olympus 6th Ward Chapel, 3070 E. Nila Way (4200 S.), Salt Lake City. Friends may call Friday, Dec. 5th from 6-8 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 Highland Dr. and one hour prior to the service at the church. Our carpenter has gone to meet the Master Carpenter.