For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Tammy Culp, and I have the honor of being Jack McKay’s oldest granddaughter. Now, I’ll be the first to admit my childhood and teenage years probably weren’t the smoothest ride. And if you knew my Grandpa Jack for any length of time, I’m willing to bet he had at least one or two stories to tell about me. In particular when he was teaching me to drive a stick when I was 18 and had a smart mouth. 

We’ve all heard the incredible stories about my grandfather, his bravery in World War II, how he came out of the Great Depression, raised four children, and built a life rooted in strength and resilience though many hard ships that life brings. . He lived a full, meaningful life, a life that many would admire, and would strive to acquire! 

But today, I want to share a more personal story! One that speaks to the quiet, steadfast love he gave to me, my sisters, and especially to my mother that I now see was very difficult at times. 

In the late 1970s, my grandparents built their dream retirement home up on the hill on Wally Road in Boring Oregon!  AKA Wolverton Mountain in the town, too tough to die!! It was beautiful. The view stretched out for miles, and he had everything he’d worked for: a farm, with a barn and cows, an orchard with many types of fruit trees, a garden, raspberries rows, and a home to share with the love of his life, Betty. Those that knew her knew she was quite the catch and always stood by his side! She was the real deal. I imagine he saw a peaceful chapter ahead. A life of rest after a lifetime of hard work. It’s what we all hope for after working so hard when we're young, to finally enjoy the rewards in retirement.

But life had other plans!!

In the early 1980s, my mother’s marriage began to fall apart. She found herself alone, trying to raise two little girls and another on the way. Looking back now I know she felt very hopeless and abandoned and no where to go. Without hesitation, my grandparents stepped in. They welcomed all four of us into their home, what was meant to be their retirement became something entirely different: a second round of parenting. Three little girls under the age of 4 and my mother who was distraught and brought her own problems with her.

Looking back now, I realize just how remarkable that decision was. My grandfather didn’t have to raise a second family. He had many choices, leave us to the state, let her figure it out, “she can move in with someone else”. However, that is not the decision that he made. Let me be clear! He was done raising kids. But we needed him. And without a second thought, he was right there!

He never made us feel like a burden. He just got to work, quietly, consistently, and with so much love. I never heard my grandparents complain not once I’m sure he did behind closed doors. Or maybe to a close family friend, however NEVER if front of us. He always treasured me like his own. Through every stage, like childhood, the tough teenage years, and becoming a young woman he was there for me. 

He taught me what hard work looks like. He taught me loyalty. He taught me kindness, responsibility, the importance of fighting for your family even when things get hard, he was resilient, he was simple, he was selfless, he was relentless, He was level headed, and he showed me, every single day, what true dedication really meant in everything I do. He would say to me when times get tough you need to pick yourself up and dust yourself off and move forward. 

He was strong, loyal, and protective with us girls. He would’ve gone to the ends of the earth for us.

 He welcomed every person who knocked on his door, fed them, clothed them, gave them a roof over their head. And a joke or two while you were there. If you ever wondered where I got my sense of humor. Well, now you know where it came from. You blame him! I’m just carrying the family tradition. 

What he did for us was extraordinary! Not many would have done the same, and I will  ALWAYS understand truly how fortunate we were to have him.

If he were here right now this is what I’d say. Grandpa, I want you to know that I will carry everything you taught me for the rest of my life. I’ll keep trying to make you proud. I will give it my best shot at whatever God gives me. Please know You were the best grandfather a girl could have! And the very VERY best father I could’ve ever asked for!! 

I love you grandpa/Dad with all my heart. I will miss you always more than I can express! 

Jack McKay You are truly an incredible man.

A legend in my eyes!!

Thank you Jesus for this honorable man! 

Grandpa Jack was the best.  He was so funny and lighthearted, he loved a good joke, a funny situation and loved stirring the pot.

When my sisters and I were little when we walk into grandpas house we were no longer Tammy, Darlene and Angela, we were Tumula Boom, Darweenie and Angelina

I think grandpa’s favorite moments were when we’d get in trouble with grandma, Grandpa would be peeking out over the corner of his newspaper with one eye laughing, and then he’d say “she likes it”

I’m sure we asked him a 100 times, what the weather was going to be like and instead of getting irritated with us “he’d say look down there does Chucky have a big fire” and you knew big fire meant it was going to be cold

He was also notorious for saying he had a jobby for you, “I just need you for a minute you don’t need to change your clothes or anything” – then he’d say see all this wood that stacked up I need you to move it over here and restack it

Or his famous move, I’d walk into the living room and he’d say “Annie, I left my billfold in the bathroom, can you go grab it for me?”  I’d walk into the bathroom and instantly knew I’d made a mistake, there was no billfold but you could clearly tell he’d just been in the bathroom and all I could hear is him laughing hysterically

He was always singing a song, that was complete nonsense, “red, red wet the bed and wipe it up with gingerbread”, “pickle in the middle and the mustard on top that’s the way they like it and they like it red hot” I’ll spare you but a lot of times the song would be accompanied by a little dance

Or silly sayings he would randomly say “Chilly today and hot tamale,”  “All the way with LBJ,” “I’ve got a donut belly” or a kid who was bouncing around was a “fart in the skillet” or Then at dinner he’d take a big bite of food and tell you, ”mmm, that’ll put hair on your chest”

Right after grandma passed away I was sitting on his couch and on a conference call with my earbuds in.  Grandpa walks in and says “Ollie do you need to go pee pee”, next thing I know someone on the call says, whoever is talking to their dog needs to mute their line.

Grandpa and I used to joke about politics.  Neither of us took any of it seriously.  He would always ask me how my girl Hilary was doing and I’d say how’s pain in the rump trump.  But one time I said you’d never vote for a woman and he said there’s one woman I’d vote for.  He said if you ran for president I’d vote for you.  Its moments like those that I knew he not only valued me and my opinion but truly respected me.

As you guys head out today in the words of Grandpa Jack, don’t be a bunch of wimps, rip into it and most importantly leave the beer alone.

And this last one probably only Tammy, Darlene and I know, but this is for you grandpa one last time (knocking).

Great Uncle Jack, It was an honor for my brother and I to escort you out of the service.  I honor your service and thank you for it.  I promise to keep an eye on your brother Lee (My grandpa-Patricia's Dad) and do the same for him.  The world lost another good one from the Greatest Generation......

I am so sorry for the loss of popa jack. I'll never forget on my wedding day. my parents couldn't make it. and I was so honored to have him walk me down the aisle. I will love and miss him. ❤️

wanted to say i knew jack and his wife betty and betsy in boring when i was a kid from the 70s to the 80s ,  also jack went to gresham mcdonalds with his military group i went to that place i said hi to jack many times he still rememberd me   saying a prayer for his family ,, in 72 i  beleave my parents bought a jr acure of land  from the MCAYS  the miller family of boring oregon lived on haley road

So sad to hear of Jacks passing. He was such a wonderful man. I so fondly remember coming home with him on Friday's to spend the weekend at their home. He always made me feel so welcome. I remember riding horses "dealing" with the chickens (lol) and all the fun we had at the big farmhouse. He was such a tease.  Loved our trips to the cabin and camping trips too. So many great memories. God bless you all. Sue (Tranchell) Washinger

OBITUARY

Jack Paul McKay

9 June, 1925 – 8 July, 2025

Bateman Carroll Funeral Home

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