Rodger A. McKay

Rodger A. McKay, 70, of Randolph Township, passed away peacefully at home on September 15, 2025. He was born in Akron, Ohio on August 12, 1955 to Leonard and Virginia McKay.

Rodger graduated from Waterloo High School, class 1973. Upon graduating, Rodger joined the U.S. Navy and proudly served for six years.

He spent most of his career in maintenance, first at Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems and then at East Manufacturing.

Rodger’s family and friends will remember him as a jack of all trades. He could fix just about anything and particularly enjoyed woodworking. He also loved the outdoors and had many fond memories of camping trips and beach vacations. In 2024, he was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of visiting the redwood forests out west as well as a final visit to the Outer Banks to relive happy memories.

Rodger had a great sense of humor and a generous heart. He also had a fondness for fireworks and a crew to assist him. He was an avid animal lover and had many beloved dogs over his lifetime.

Rodger was preceded by his father, Leonard McKay; and his parents-in-law, Louis Buza and Eileen Buza.

He will be dearly missed by his beloved wife of 35 years, Kelli McKay; daughters, Amanda (Scott) Lechner and Kara McKay; mother, Virginia McKay; siblings, Larry McKay, Dennis McKay, Sue Ellen (Steven) Bryk, and Randy (Kris) McKay; brothers-in-law, Joe Buza, Todd (Michele) Buza, and Jeff Cook; grandson, Brayden Lechner; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He also leaves his best friends, Bert and Lennie Frohnapfel and their family as well as his faithful companions, Gracie, Juju, and Giblet.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, immediately followed by a funeral service at 12:00 pm at Newcomer Funeral Home, 131 N. Canton Rd., Akron. Procession to Hillside Cemetery in Randolph following the funeral service.  To view Rodger's service at the scheduled time, please click here.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org or the Portage Animal Protective League, 8122 Infirmary Rd, Ravenna, Ohio 44266.

To share a memory of Rodger or leave a special message for his family, visit the guestbook below.