Kyle Wayne McKaughan

On Monday, December 11, heaven gained an angel, leaving behind an irreplaceable void in our hearts. After a yearlong, hard-fought battle with multiple myeloma and CLL, Kyle Wayne McKaughan left this earth peacefully with his wife by his side. His life was a testament to love, wisdom, and constant laughter. Though his time with us was cut short, the impact he made will resonate for generations to come.

Kyle was born on March 17, 1962 in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He lived in many places growing up, including Alaska and Arkansas, where he would meet, unbeknownst to him, his future wife, Tonya Nix. He would then move with his family to Houston where he graduated high school at Cypress Creek, in 1980. He went on to attend Carl Albert Junior College on a baseball scholarship and continued his baseball career at Northeastern State University, in Tahlequah, OK. In 1987, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree.

In 1983, he and Tonya married and just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this past July. In those 40 years, they would add three sons, two daughter-in-laws, and 8 grandchildren. They eventually made Rogers, Arkansas their home.

After college, Kyle moved his family to Rogers, where he worked at Superior Industries and met many lifelong friends. He retired from the University of Arkansas as Safety Director for the Agricultural Department after 12 years.

His legacy isn't just the years he lived, but the countless moments he shared. Kyle McKaughan was nothing short of his authentic self and couldn’t care less if others judged him. Whether it was watching Legally Blonde each time it was on TV, passing a ball field and telling anyone who would listen about the home run he hit there, or day dreaming of being on the Lost Springs golf course, you always knew what he wanted to do or what he was thinking. If you had met Kyle, you either laughed, rolled your eyes or came away with a story you would tell for years to come.

Kyle was preceded in death by his father and mother, Don and Donna McKaughan; and his grandson, Kyle Rhett McKaughan. He is survived by his loving wife, Tonya; his three sons, Dax (Summer) McKaughan, Dayton (Chelsea) McKaughan and Dalton McKaughan (Arianna Phillips); his seven grandchildren who idolize their Pops, Mason, Maddie, Maddox, Lyliann, Nolan, Jaxon and Savannah; his sister, Kelly (Kevin) Hayes; his brother, Kevin (Joyce) McKaughan; his sweet mother-in-law, Doris Jennings; his brother-in-laws, Paul (Carol) Nix, John (Laura) Nix; sister-in-laws, Annette (James) Berrier, Kerri Nix; and many nieces and nephews, whom he adored.

Though he departed from our world too soon, his memory will forever remain with us. We celebrate his life, his love, and the indelible mark he leaves on our hearts. In his absence, may we swing a little straighter when playing golf, cheer on the Oklahoma Sooners in his memory, laugh a little harder each day, and cherish each moment with the people we love.