Passed away peacefully in Penticton, BC on May 2, 2019 at the age of 91. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 49 years, Violet Leona in 1999. Jack was born in Calgary, Alberta January 5, 1928 growing up in the farming community of Cremona, Alberta. As a young man he ran the family farm for his father, Magistrate Robert McKay and mother Maude. In 1950/1951 his grain crops won 1st and 2nd place in the Calgary, Toronto and Chicago farm exhibits. Following his marriage to Violet in 1950 he ran equipment for road construction and worked in the local coal mines. In 1961 Jack moved his family to Penticton where he worked as a bush mechanic and enjoyed the fresh fruit and lakes of the Okanagan Valley. In 1964, Jack and Vi purchased the Hedley General Store moving the family to the small community of Hedley. Here as a family they operated the store for 10+ years and Jack continued to work for Northwood Lumber as a heavy duty mechanic/ mill right. Jack and Vi settled in the Princeton area for the next 20+ years travelling to Oregon/California areas for many years. Following Jack's retirement they put down roots in Pine Grove, California spending the summers in Penticton and winters in the south. Jack's hobbies consisted of work related projects of home renovations, mechanics, his many "Jack of all trades", camping, and the outdoors including riding dirt bike. He loved his dogs and the time shared with family. After Vi's passing, Jack spent most of his time in California where he continued to pull wrenches on anything and everything until his health brought his return to Penticton. Jack is survived by his step sons Larry Spafford, Ron Spafford (Susie) of Red Deer; daughters Carole (Red) Lawes of Princeton, Linda (Norm) Ferguson of Penticton and Marlene McKay of Kamloops; 15 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren and 19 great great grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held in July at the annual Christmas in July family gathering. The family would like to thank the nurses and care staff of Haven Hill for the compassionate care provided to Jack during his stay.
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Everden-Rust Funeral Home