Darrell B. MacKay

Darrell MacKay, 93, died peacefully in his home on February 23, 2026, in Colorado Springs. He was born on Aug. 5, 1932, in Denver to Irwin and Elsie (Bates) MacKay. He graduated from South High in 1950 and married Joyce Kathryn Johnson on July 26, 1953. They had four children, three in the 50’s: Linda, Susan, and Bruce; and John in the late 60’s. The family enjoyed camping (especially in Ouray, Colorado), summer stays at the family cabin built by Darrell’s father and playing games.

In High School, Darrell loved playing in the band and dreamed of being a professional musician. However, one of his teachers won him over to chemistry, so he graduated from Colorado University in 1955 with majors in Chemical Engineering and Business. He served in the natural gas industry--16 years for Colorado Interstate Gas Company in Colorado Springs, then 11 years for Northwest Energy Company, first in Salt Lake City. Then, from 1978-84, he was tasked, as VP, with opening and running an office in Wash. DC, to handle delivery of Canadian gas to the U.S. and promote a 4800-mile Alaskan pipeline project.

In 1974, struggling with family problems he did not know how to handle, Darrell tells of a life-changing experience he had in his hotel room on a business trip. While looking up Bible verses mentioned in a booklet he was reading, Galatians 3:26 “jumped from the page in bold print.” “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” “I realized that my true nature was not perfection [as he had been raised to believe in Divine Science] and only through Jesus could I connect with God. I went to my knees and prayed that Jesus would fill me with His Spirit. I absolutely knew that my life changed that night.” His marriage was saved and gradually, prayerfully, family relations began to improve. By the end of his life, he and Joyce were tied in love with an unbreakable bond.

In 1984, Darrell retired and returned to Colorado Springs where he could care for his elderly mother. He loved having many family members living close by. Susan returned to Colorado Springs in 1984. Bruce’s family moved to Denver in 1990. John and Jen raised their sons in Colorado Springs. Joyce and Darrell also discovered and joined a deeply loving Bible-based Christian church family, Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA), led by Pastor Rick Fite. Darrell served as elder and Presbytery Treasurer and led Missions efforts for many years. Tragically, Pastor Fite became ill and passed away June 26, 2013. When Grace closed, Village Seven Presbyterian (PCA) became their new church home.

Darrell was preceded in death by his grandson, Seth Andrew MacKay (1990-1993), second child of Bruce and Miriam. He is survived by four children, three of whom live in Colorado Springs: Linda MacKay, Susan & “Bob” Wylie, Bruce & Miriam (Hochstetler) MacKay of Denver, and John & Jennifer (Cude) MacKay. He has six grandchildren: Hannah & Derek Voth, Sara Wylie (with Ryan and son, Asher), Eli & Charity (Riesgraf) MacKay, Nicholas Wylie (and son, Mason), Tanner MacKay, and Ian MacKay. He recently enjoyed visits with great grandchildren, Norah and Leo Voth.

Darrell faced bilateral above knee amputation in 2017, which changed his life but didn’t slow him down. He was glad it caused his family to draw closer together and deeply appreciated all the support his family, friends, caregivers, neighbors, and acquaintances gave to him. Darrell's legacy of faith, commitment to truth, and example of prayerful, loving service to others will continue to inspire generations to come.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/colorado-springs-co/darrell-mackay-12760254