Eugene H. McKay Jr.

Eugene H. McKay, Jr. Eugene H. McKay, Jr. age 80, passed away at his residence on Saturday, March 6, 2010 after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Gene was born on June 25, 1929 in Battle Creek, the son of Eugene H. and Ella F. (Everest) McKay. He attended the Battle Creek Public Schools for several years before his family moved to the Augusta area. He graduated from W.K. Kellogg High School in Hickory Corners (now part of the Gull Lake Schools) in 1947. One of his favorite sports was tennis at the time and when he attended Michigan State University he played on the tennis team in college. At Michigan State, Gene was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. Gene graduated from Michigan State University in 1951, married Beverly J. Blakeman in November of 1951, and then served in the U.S. Army for several years in Korea and Japan as a Second Lieutenant. Upon his return to Michigan he continued to serve his country as a member of the Army Reserve rising to the rank of Major. After his term of overseas service ended in the Army, Gene worked with his father at the Battle Creek Food Company in Battle Creek as a production manager until the company was sold in 1959. He then was hired by Swanson Cookie Company as an assistant National Franchise Director, and later received several promotions. Around 1962, George Markham and Gene formed a new entity called Archway Cookies, Inc. to administer the franchise network. Not long after this event, a bakery in Ohio was purchased and Tom Olin was hired to manage the bakery. In 1983, Gene and Tom Olin bought Archway Cookies from George Markham. Gene served as President of Archway throughout most of his ownership and served as Co-Chairman during the last few years he was at Archway. During this time he met and married Janice Perry in January of 1989. Gene retired from Archway in 1998 when it was sold to Specialty Foods of Chicago. Gene, fondly referred to by many of his friends as "Geno", was a wise, confident man, with a quick wit and a sharp mind. Gene enjoyed reciting tales of the McKay family history, had an active interest in genealogy, and took great pride in knowing the many details of the family ancestors as far back as prior to the Revolutionary War. He was a true historian and often took great pleasure in sharing his knowledge of historical trivia, dates, and facts, especially trivia related to the Civil War. Knowledgeable about a wide range of subjects, he enjoyed sharing his information and advice. Gene was passionate about the merits of higher education, and he supported and encouraged others to achieve their highest academic goals. He served for many years on the Michigan State University Foundation board, the Calhoun County MSU Club, and received one of Michigan State's highest awards known as the John Hannah Distinguished Alumni Award. He was also a lifetime member of the MSU Alumni Association. Gene was perhaps best known for his enjoyment of the outdoors. He enjoyed sharing his love of the woods, lakes, and hunting with his children, grandchildren, and friends. In his younger days he would often go on week long trips to northern Michigan, Wyoming or Colorado to hunt. He also successfully competed in many skeet and trap shooting events, and won several awards for his excellent shooting skills. In his later years, he enjoyed duck hunting with his friends and sons at several favorite spots in Canada. He co-owned several hunting properties with his friends and family where he often spent time during the hunting season. Gene also enjoyed playing golf, fishing, boating, and antiquing with his wife Jan. Gene was an active community member and served as a member of many local organizations. He was a member and past president of the Battle Creek Jaycees, a member of the Battle Creek Kiwanis Club, Masonic Lodge, American Legion and a member of the Memorial Park Finance Committee and board. Gene was also a board member of the local Michigan National Bank for many years. Gene was a member of the Battle Creek Gun Club, the National Rifle Association, Ducks Unlimited, and Sons of the American Revolution. He also was a member and past president of the Battle Creek Country Club, a member of the Knife & Fork Club, and a member of the Gull Lake Country Club. Gene was a humorous and loving man, highly devoted and loyal to his family and friends. He will be missed by all. Surviving are his wife, Janice McKay; three children: Eugene H. (Melissa) McKay, III, John B. "JB" McKay and Heather (Ladd) Hunter; three step-children: Richard L. (Tina) Perry, Lori Johnson and Rev. Eric J. Perry; grandchildren: Madison McKay, Nicholas McKay, Justin Reevs, Hailey Hunter, Caroline, Katherine and Anna McKay; step-grandchildren: Ashlee, Ericka and Jana Johnson, Derick, Hannah, Jakob and Jon Perry, Hunter, Rikki, Bayleigh, Peyton, Annalee and Brychan Perry; and one sister, Ella Joy (Walter Jim) Bell. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters: Margaret McKay Foster and Mary Louise Priest; first wife, Beverly Blakeman McKay and daughter in law, Dana Perry. Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday at the First Presbyterian Church, 111 Capital Avenue, N.E. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery with Military Honors presented by the U.S. Army. The family will receive friends at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home, 703 Capital Avenue, S.W., Battle Creek, MI on Thursday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be directed to Lifespan-Good Samaritan Hospice, 166 East Goodale Ave, Battle Creek, MI 49037-2728 or Ducks Unlimited, Memorial Contributions, One Waterfowl Way, Memphis, TN 38120.