Robert M. McKay, Jr.

August 26, 1920 - June 6, 2015

R.M. "Bob" McKay, Jr., age 94, a lifelong resident of Maury County, passed away Saturday, June 6, 2015 at his residence. Graveside services will be conducted on Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at 2:00 PM at Rose Hill Cemetery with military honors provided by the Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Bob was born on August 26, 1920 at the family home on Carter's Creek in Maury County. He was a direct descendant of the first McKay's who settled in the area in 1790. He was the son of the late Robert M. McKay, Sr. and Anne Hill Cox McKay. He graduated from Columbia Central High School in 1939, was a four year letterman in football, and was the last surviving member of the class of 1939. He also graduated from David Lipscomb College. During World War II he attended the United States Military Academy at West Point. He served as a First Lieutenant in the 63rd Infantry Division at Fort Benning, Camp Shelby, Camp Robinson, and finally at Base X in Manila, Philippines. Bob spent his entire career in Broadcasting and Advertising. He owned and operated Middle Tennessee Broadcasting Co. (WKRM and WKOM) and Humphreys County Broadcasting CO. (WPHC and WVRY.) When WKRM went on the air on November 25, 1946, it was the 19th Radio Station in Tennessee. He was one of the founders of The Tennessee Association of Broadcasters and later served as its President. As a broadcaster, he received the "Distinguished Service Award" from the TAB. The Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame inducted him in 2013. He was also one of the founders of The Middle Tennessee Shopper and The Marshall County Shopper. For his service to the print advertising industry, he received the prestigious "Herb Campbell Award." He retired in 2008 after a 62 year career in Broadcasting and Advertising. Along the way, he served the West 7th Street Church of Christ first as a Deacon and later as an Elder and was a member for nearly 70 years. For 20 years, Bob was Chairman of the Infantile Paralysis Chapter of Maury County. He was a member of the Columbia Rotary Club for over 40 years, was a Past President, the founder of the Rotary Club Pancake Day and was honored as a "Paul Harris Fellow." He devoted 30 years of his life to serving Maury Regional Medical Center first as a Trustee and later as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Bob is survived by his two children: Baylor Anne (Charles) Bone of Hendersonville and Robert (Ginger) McKay III of Columbia; and sister: Peggy (Doug) Murphy of Florence, AL. He is also survived by four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; four nephews and a niece. He was preceded in death by his parents: R.M. McKay, Sr. and Anne Hill Cox McKay; his wife: Lois House McKay; brother: Cameron McKay; sister: Mary Hill Haugen; and brothers-in-law: Jim Haugen and Loyd House. Pallbearers will be Charles Bone, Charles Robert Bone, Ryan Swindell, Chuck Terry, Joshua Terry, Austin Beatty, Geoff Newkirk, and Dale Jackson. Memorial donations may be made to either the Building Fund at West 7th Street Church of Christ or to Columbia Academy. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Hospice Compassus as well as his caregivers: Tammy Lyons, Anita Ring, and Dale Jackson. With all his accomplishments, he chose to be remembered by his devout faith and for being a member of "America's Greatest Generation."