John Mackey Obituary

John D. Mackey Dec. 8, 1930~ March 4, 2010 Forty-six-year resident of Marin, Jack Mackey passed away after a brief battle with leukemia. His optimism, sharp wit, and unmatched intellect were legendary. He had an insatiable appetite for knowledge, was extremely well read and possessed an inexhaustible vocabulary. In his more than 50 years in the stock and bond business, he was a member of the State Commission on Corporate Governance, a president of the Board of Trustees of the College of Marin, Chair of the USF Center for the Pacific Rim, and other offices. He greatly prized his award as Investment Banker of the Year. Serving as an officer in the artillery in the Army in 1954-5, he operated the Far East Network in Fukuoka, Japan before moving to Southern California and starting in the stock and bond business. Because of his passion for literature, he earned a Master's Degree in English from USC in 1965 and not only taught English at College of Marin for a brief time, but also wrote a highly popular column for the Marin Independent Journal in the 1980s. Possessing a photographic memory, he often recited poems and verses that befitted the subject of conversation. His love of fine art and travel was only eclipsed by his enthusiasm for baseball, especially the Giants. He was a 25-year season ticket holder. He recently married his longtime love, Marnie Mackey, in November, 2009 in Hawaii. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Sheila Mackey of Marin, John and Cheri Mackey of Rohnert Park, and Lisa and Rick Parsons of Denver, Colorado; four adoring grandchildren, Amber, Ian, Jesse, and Shannon; two great-grandchildren, Kaleb, and Ethan; two sisters, Judy Loveall, and Keni McKenzie of Reno, Nevada; step-children, Ben and Teresa Grellman, and Jeff Grellman; Elisabeth Parsons and Abigail Grellman, step- granddaughters, as well as numerous others who regarded him as a father and mentor. His son Brent predeceased him in 1983. His first wife, Madeleine Gill Mackey, predeceased him in October 2009. Jack was highly respected among his peers , dearly loved by all who knew him, and will be sorely missed. A memorial service is being planned. Please check http:// jackmackey.net for updates. A private remembrance was held by his family.

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Published by San Francisco Chronicle on Mar. 14, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for John Mackey

4 Entries

Valli Thayer McDougle

March 23, 2010

Dear Marnie: So sorry to learn about Jack's death. Please call me as I have information about Dave Thayer for you. 303-955-8750

March 17, 2010

Dear Marnie and family, It has been a privilege to be a friend of Jack's for 70 years. We grew up in the same neighborhood in Reno on the banks of the Truckee river. As youths, we would spend many summer days pulling crawdads out of the river. As teens we spent our summers on the city park tennis courts where we teamed up to win the doubles championship. As young men I was honored to be Jack's best man at his wedding to his first wife, Madeline. After college our lives took different paths as Jack became an Army artillary officer and I became a Marine Corps fighter pilot. When we returned home, our families often got together for memorable times and he became known as "Uncle Jack" to our children. My family and I all feel the void left with Jacks passing. He was truly a great friend and one of the finest men I have ever known. Russs Bowring

March 15, 2010

Dear Marnie & family,
We are sorry to learn our friend, Jack, has passed on to the place where we all aspire. We will miss talking with Jack during our once in awhile phone calls. We will miss talking about the baseball games and our trips to the Cowboy Poetry Gatherings in Elko, Nv. Jack was a true gentleman and a great friend......David & JoAnn Ryan

Charlie Spina

March 15, 2010

Dear Marnie: Nancy and I want to let you know how very sorry we are to hear of our dear friend Jack's passing. Jack and I grew up together in Reno in the 1930s and 40s. we lived one block from each other for years. We played on at least two or three baseball teams..Jack at first base and me at third. It was a pleasure to get to know you and go to the Giant games with you and Jack. It is a memory that I will always keep....Charlie Spina

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