Wallace McKay November 26, 1933 to February 25, 2023

Joan McKay September 1, 1933 to March 2, 2023

Today we remember and honor the lives of two remarkable individuals, our beloved parents who have just passed away.

Wally and Joan McKay met at Inglewood High School in Inglewood, California when they were 16 years old. High School sweethearts, they married in 1953 at 19 and started their family with son Bill in 1954, followed by two more sons John and Jim.

They were more than just parents to us; they were our mentors, our role models, and our friends. They taught us the meaning of love, selflessness, and sacrifice, and their memory will forever be etched in our hearts.

Our parents were a team, bound together by their love for each other and their unyielding devotion to their family. They built a life together based on the principles of hard work, integrity, and an unflinching morality. They faced countless challenges and obstacles, but they never wavered in their commitment to each other and their children.

Our mother was an inspiration. She had a heart of gold, was always there to offer a helping hand or a listening ear, and her independent spirit touched the lives of everyone she met. Whether taking on the role of Cub Scout Den Mother or taking her young sons on a 13,000 mile trip pulling a 13 foot trailer around the United States and Canada one summer while dad stayed home and worked, she encouraged us to reach out and try new things on our own, take risks, and experience the world around us. Mom was a ferocious reader, and loved to read about archeology, the rise of civilizations around the world, and just a good mystery story once in a while.

Her smile could light up a room, and her laughter was infectious. She was the glue that held our family together, and we will forever cherish the memories we shared with her.

Our father was strong, resilient, and wise. He was a man of few words, but his actions spoke volumes. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family, and his unwavering dedication and commitment to his children were unmatched. On fishing trips when the sons were little, he spent more time patiently untangling lines than fishing, and still managed to catch his limit. He loved adventure, he loved staying active and working out. He was our rock, our protector, and our hero. His quiet strength and unwavering love will always be remembered.

Together, our parents were a force to be reckoned with. They lived a life that was filled with purpose, passion, and meaning. They taught us to be resilient in the face of adversity, to have faith in ourselves, and to never give up on our dreams. They were the embodiment of love, and their legacy will live on through their children, their grandchildren, and future generations.

Our beloved parents passed just five days apart, and as we bid farewell to them, we take comfort in knowing that they left this earth together as they entered it so long ago and will be watching over us from above. Their memory will forever be a source of inspiration and strength, guiding us through life's challenges and reminding us of the power of love.

Rest in peace, Mom and Dad. You will be forever missed, but never forgotten. Your legacy will live on through us, and we promise to make you proud. We were proud to call you Mom and Dad.