Robert Herman McKay
Published 2:33 pm Thursday, August 16, 2018
On August 12, 2018, Robert Herman McKay passed peacefully into the presence of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ at the age of 86 after a long courageous battle with cancer.
Bob is survived by his wife of 63 years, Bonnie, his children Robert (Mindy) McKay, Tracey (Michael) Wilkinson, and Pamela (Sean) Shepard, in addition to his six grandchildren Matthew (Min) McKay, Emily Wilkinson, Amy Wilkinson, Audrey Wilkinson, Sarah Shepard, and Hannah Shepard. Bob was born January 20, 1932, in Cumberland County, Virginia; his parents, Hazel Oscar and Elnora Bertha McKay moved the family to Farmville Virginia where Bob was raised.
After graduating from Cumberland High School, he joined the Air Force and served as Staff Sergeant in Korea.
After his military service he settled in Houston where he raised his family and worked at KHOU-TV as a cameraman and film editor for 40 years. Highlights of his professional career include covering Hurricane Carla in 1961 with Dan Rather and meeting celebrities and political figures at the television station. Upon retirement, Bob and Bonnie traveled extensively, visiting places abroad and throughout the United States.
As members of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, Bob served on the church Vestry and became Junior Warden during his second term. In addition, he served as an usher and worked in the church resale shop. We are grateful to the nurses and caregivers at Houston Hospice for their devoted care.
A funeral service for Bob will be held on Saturday August 18, at 11 a.m. at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 1656 Blalock Rd, Houston, TX 77080.
A viewing will be held Friday August 17, from 6-8 p.m. at Waltrip Funeral Directors, 1415 Campbell Rd, Houston, TX 77055. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church would be greatly appreciated.