James Mackey Obituary

JAMES W. "JIM" MACKEY, 93 ROCKFORD - James W. "Jim" Mackey, 93, Rockford, passed away Monday, January 11, 2016, in his home. He was born January 1, 1923, in Rockford, the son of Corbett and Gladys (Layng) Mackey. Jim was a proud Navy veteran of WWII serving in the South Pacific as a signalman with XAPTEAM25 providing support for many operations and invasions. He married Beverly "Bev" Miller in Rockford on November 6, 1948. Jim worked at Thrift-Remsen Printers for over 20 years and then was the plant manager at MC Chemical for many years retiring in 1990. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Jim was an avid fisherman and took his family up North each year, the last 43 at Thousand Island Lake in the U.P. of Michigan. He, his brother-in-law Dorian Fisher and son Bob made many fishing trips to Canada with the Kelley Williamson group. He was a member of the American Legion, Walter R. Craig Post #60, for 68 years and was a member of the Navy Club Ship #1 for 20 years. After retirement Jim was very active in the Y Men's Retired Club. In his earlier years he was a member of the bowling, golf and fishing leagues, helped with the annual Christmas tree sales and breakfasts and enjoyed the many friendships he made there. His favorite pastime was scouting. He joined Troop 8 in 1935 and Sea Scout Ship Legionnaire #508 in 1941 where he served as Skipper for 26 years, helping boys transition into young men, and later as Executive Officer, for a total of 80 years in scouting. Jim was a kind and gentle man who loved spending time with his family. Survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Bev; his sons, Rick (June) Mackey, Chuck (Tobi) Mackey, and his favorite daughter, Carol (Steve) Schultz; his daughters-in-law, Jan (Bob) Mackey and Karen (Dave) Mackey; his grandchildren, Tim Mackey (Lana), Christy (Chad) Evans, Brad (Jacque) Mackey, Greg (January) Mackey, Alana (Miguel) Hernandez, Randy (Megan) Schultz and Andrew (Lauren) Schultz; 7 great-grandchildren (1 more on the way); many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Predeceased by his parents, his sons, Dave and Bob Mackey and his brother, Glenn Mackey. There are no services scheduled at this time. Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory assisted the family. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.

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Published by Rockford Register Star from Jan. 14 to Jan. 15, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for James Mackey

7 Entries

Ross Fisher

January 20, 2016

Uncle Jim, was the epitome of what an uncle can be. A great man, a role model, and the guy who you wanted to hang out with. He defined the Golden Rule and always made you the focus. I was lucky to spend many summer vacations with him and he hooked me on fishing as a young kid and showed me the way. Some of the best times of my life were with Jim in a 14 foot boat on 1000 Island Lake with a big bass on the line. He was truly one of a kind and he will be greatly missed by me and my family. I was so lucky to be his nephew.....

Ross Fisher

January 19, 2016

Bev and Family,
I cannot begin to be able to say in words what I hold so deep in my heart. I shall miss Jim Mackey wholeheartedly. He was truly a joy to work with. There was always a great correspondence and laughter coming from his home. I am so grateful that he and Bev opened their door and hearts with me. It was such a privilege and great honor for me to have spent time with the both of them. He will never be forgotten, but surely will be missed. I thank the God Almighty that I crossed paths with Jim, who was one of our great veterans and truly an inspiration to anyone who knew him.
Sincerely,
Raini Chadwick (Swedish American Home Health Care)

Rory Fisher

January 16, 2016

I am sure going to miss skipper, my uncle Jim. They just don't make them anymore like skipper. He was a wonderful person who was simply friendly to everyone he met. As a skipper of ship 508 and through his other activities in the scouts, he molded young boys into young men. Always smiling, always upbeat, always making everyone he met feel special. He took me fishing, he was my skipper and he was one of my favorites in the world, along with his wife bev. My sympathies to everyone who knew skip, one of the best guys in the world.

Lyn Fisher (Johansen)

January 15, 2016

What a wonderfully gracious and kind-hearted man my Uncle Jim was!! He was a true gentleman who represented all things good from his generation. Few and far between are the men with a heart and soul as kind as his.
We will all miss you Uncle Jim..

chi myers

January 14, 2016

Thinkg of you all. He is at peace now.

ron harris

January 14, 2016

Bon Voyage Jim----from an old shipmate and member of the same team---we did have some great times and some scary times---see you again some day---Ron Harris

steven tolodxi

January 14, 2016

I have many memories of Jim while I was a young teen. He helped me form my life and my direction of where I wanted to go. He there for all our scouting events that Ship 508 went on. He shared many memories with our sister ship in Rockford. This was an all senior girl unit that help young girls. May you have smooth following seas, with the sun on your back. You should be reunited with Lloyd Ward, who was your backup leader. Both did a tremendous job. Thanks for the memories.

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