GEORGE WILLIAM McKAY Sr.

GEORGE WILLIAM McKAY Sr. obituary, Fort Wayne, IN

FUNERAL HOME

Klaehn, Fahl, Melton Funeral Home

420 West Wayne Street

Fort Wayne, Indiana

GEORGE McKAY Obituary

GEORGE WILLIAM McKAY SR., 96, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2014, at home. Born March 14, 1917, in Fort Wayne, George was the son of William Thomson McKay and Ruth Beers McKay. He graduated from Central High School in Fort Wayne and from Williams College, majoring in biology and foreign languages. He started working with G.E. Bursley and Co. in 1938 and married Barbara Stafford in 1940. After the United States was drawn in to World War II, George served in the U.S. Army from 1942 until 1946 when he was discharged as 1st Lieutenant. Back home in Fort Wayne, he became executive vice-president of Bursley. In 1957, Bursley merged with Bluffton Grocery Co. to form Food Marketing. A year later, he was named president of Food Marketing. Super Valu acquired Food Marketing in 1963, which led to his moving to Minneapolis to become executive vice-president of operations and later president and CEO of Super Valu in 1970. From 1973 to 1979, George was vice-chairman of the board. After his wife Barbara's death, he married Nancy Kover Blackburn. After his retirement, he and Nancy moved back to Fort Wayne. In 1980, he and Don Murphy opened the first Cub supermarket in Indianapolis, which led to two more Cub stores in Indianapolis and two in Toledo, two County Markets in Terre Haute and seven Save a Lot grocery stores. In addition to his six decades in the grocery business, George served on the board of directors for 20 years of NAWGA (National American Wholesale Grocery Association) including two terms as its chairman and president. George was also active in S.C.O.R.E., an organization of retired businessmen, who help those who want to start a business. He was elected to Fort Wayne's Business Hall of Fame in 1988. In 2013, George was honored by United Way of Allen County for his 75 years of giving to their organization. George was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church where he was an elder and member of the Board of Trustees, Rotary Club (past president), Quest Club (50 years) and Fort Wayne Country Club (past president) where George enjoyed playing golf. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing and had many fond memories of trips with family and friends. Surviving are his three sons, Rusty (Patricia) of Indianapolis, Tad (Wendy) of Indian Wells, Calif. and George Jr. of Traverse City, Mich.; two step-daughters Jean (Bill) Chandler of Olney, Ill. and Susan (David) Meyer of Fort Wayne; 12 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Nancy; and sisters, Kate Walley and Marion Rastetter Walley. Memorial service is 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014, at First Presbyterian Church, 300 West Wayne St., with visitation one hour prior to the service. The Reverend Jeff Lehn officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to First Presbyterian Church, 300 West Wayne St.; or Visiting Nurse Hospice Home, 5910 Homestead Road. Arrangements by Klaehn, Fahl & Melton Funeral Home, Wayne Street Chapel, 420 West Wayne St., Fort Wayne. www.klaehnfahlmelton.com

Published by Fort Wayne Newspapers on Jan. 23, 2014.
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Memories and Condolences
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George McKay was an example of the leader and supporter we all should have in our lives. Im proud to have worked with and for George...My prayers and support go out to the family.
Warren Disch

January 28, 2014

Mr. Mckay will always be remembered, he was a witty and wonderful man. It was a Pleasure to of known and worked for him an Mrs. Mckay!

Doreen Birchfield

January 27, 2014

George, you will always be remembered. Tom, Debbie, Kelly and Bob Juba

January 25, 2014

George you will ALWAYS be remembered. Tom, Debbie, Kelly and Bob Juba

January 25, 2014

I send my deepest sympathy for George's family. I always respected George, and was honored to work with him.
Dick Dodge

Richard Dodge

January 25, 2014

We send our deepest sympathy to Mr. Mckay's family. It was my pleasure to know Mr. Mckay.

Don Leeper

January 24, 2014

To celebrate the life of the wonderful man, George W. McKay. Respectfully, Mrs. John Weber.

Patsy Weber

January 24, 2014

One of the nicest, kindest and accomplished persons I've had the privilege of calling a friend.

Al Lampe MD

January 23, 2014

I was in George's Sunday school class, that Andrea is now leading. The family has my heartfelt sympathy.

Susan Memmer

January 23, 2014

On behalf of United Way of Allen County, I would like to express our sadness at the passing of Mr. McKay. We were able to meet with him and interview him prior to honoring him with the first George W. McKay Award for Devotion. We enjoyed that visit very much. His devotion to our community and to United Way will be missed. God speed, George McKay.

Beth Heironimus
Creative Director
United Way of Allen County

January 23, 2014

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