Matthew G McKay

With profound sadness and deep gratitude for a life exceptionally well lived, our family announces the passing of Matthew George “Matt” McKay, beloved husband, father, grandfather, businessman, philanthropist, mentor, and friend. Matt’s life was defined by his unwavering devotion to family, his commitment to his community, and his belief that success carries with it the responsibility to lift others. He lived by a simple principle from Luke’s gospel, “to whom much is given, much is expected.”

Born on October 18, 1954, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Matt was raised by his parents John W. McKay Jr. and Alice McKay Thornhill who instilled in him the values of hard work, education, integrity, and service. His parents’ influence, as well as love and guidance from his maternal grandparents Wendell and Emelda Aldrich, shaped the thoughtful leader, devoted family man, and generous community servant he became.

A proud graduate of Tara High School, Class of 1972, Matt continued his education at Louisiana State University, where he balanced his studies with a growing passion for the automobile business. What began as a part-time opportunity at a local dealership evolved into a remarkable career that would transform the automotive landscape throughout Louisiana. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Entrepreneurship by the LSU School of Business in 2019.

In 1987, Matt co-founded with his business partner, John Noland, what would become the All Star Automotive Group, a company that reflected his entrepreneurial spirit, determination, and vision. His choice of the name AllStar reflected not only his vision for the company but also the close personal relationship with Joe Dean Jr. and his father, Joe Dean Sr., the former LSU basketball star who was the National Sales Manager for Converse, the maker of Converse AllStar sneakers who became Athletic Director for LSU. Over the decades, Matt built the organization into one of Louisiana’s most respected automotive groups, leading numerous dealerships across the state and employing hundreds of people. Under his leadership, All Star became known not only for business success but also for its strong culture of service, loyalty, and community engagement. Along with his senior leadership team, he was supported by his dedicated assistant, Chris Tam. As a result, he was named TIME Dealer of the Year in 2018.

While Matt’s accomplishments in business were extraordinary, those who knew him best understood that his greatest achievements were found far beyond the showroom floor. He believed deeply in investing in people and creating opportunities for others. During the devastating Great Flood of 2016, when several of his dealerships suffered catastrophic losses, Matt’s first concern was not his business but his employees. He worked tirelessly to ensure workers and their families received assistance and support as they rebuilt their lives. It was characteristic of the man he was—always placing people first.

Matt’s impact on Baton Rouge and the surrounding region will continue to be felt for generations. Guided by the example of his educator parents, he became a passionate advocate for education and workforce development. Among the accomplishments he considered most meaningful was the creation of the McKay Automotive Technology Center, dedicated to his father, John W. “Jack”

McKay, at Baton Rouge Community College. The center was a transformative initiative that provides students with pathways to rewarding careers in the automotive industry. Matt believed that every young person deserved access to meaningful work and a promising future, and he dedicated countless hours, resources, and relationships to making that vision a reality.

His civic leadership was equally impressive. Throughout his life, Matt served in leadership roles with numerous organizations, including the Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce, the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, Woman’s Hospital, the Tiger Athletic Foundation, and many others. He championed educational initiatives, community development projects, workforce training, healthcare, and philanthropic causes that strengthened the Capital Region.

Beyond formal leadership positions, Matt was a generous supporter of causes that touched his heart. He helped establish educational grant programs for teachers, promoted literacy initiatives, supported organizations serving children with learning differences and autism, including The Emerge Center and the McKay Academic Center at The Dunham School, contributed to hunger relief efforts, and invested in youth athletics. He was known for his ability to bring people together around a common purpose and for his belief that meaningful change was possible when communities worked collaboratively.

Yet for all his accomplishments, Matt’s greatest joy was his family.

For 34 years, he shared a remarkable love story with his devoted wife and best friend, Sherri Carona McKay. Their partnership was built on faith, mutual respect, laughter, and a shared passion for serving others. Together they created a loving home and built a life centered on family and community.

Matt was a proud and devoted father to his children, Taylor McKay and his wife, Sarah, and Hays McKay. One of the greatest blessings of his later years was becoming a grandfather. He cherished every moment spent with his beloved grandson, Owsley McKay, whose presence brought him immeasurable pride and happiness.

He is also survived by his siblings, Mike McKay (Kim), Patrick McKay, Teri McKay Gomez (Randy), Erin McKay Meyers (Drew), and Katie McKay Simpson (Taylor). He leaves behind his cherished in-laws, Sonny and Patsy Carona; Al and Debbie (Carona) Landry and Nancy Carona; and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, friends, colleagues, and countless individuals whose lives were enriched by his generosity, mentorship, and friendship. He was preceded in death by not only his parents and grandparents but also by his stepmother Kay Albritton McKay and stepfather Acie S. Thornhill.

Matt possessed a rare gift for making people feel valued. Whether speaking with a business leader, an employee, a student, or a neighbor, he offered the same sincerity, respect, and genuine interest. He believed that success was measured not by what one accumulated, but by what one contributed. His legacy is written not only in the businesses he built and the organizations he strengthened, but also in the thousands of lives he touched through his kindness, guidance, and generosity.

His was a life of purpose, service, and love. Though he will be deeply missed, the values he lived by—and the countless people he inspired—will ensure that his influence endures for generations to come.

The family would also like to express our deep appreciation and love to JoAnn “JoJo” Cole for taking care of and being a part of our family all these many years. We extend a heartfelt thank you to Matt’s special caretakers, Leslie “Lisa” Morris, Jerry Corbin, and Sirmetric Fields who cared for him during his extended illness. Their attentiveness, devotion, and dignity of care was exceptional.

The family invites all who knew and loved Matt to celebrate a life that was truly extraordinary and to honor his memory by serving others with the same compassion, humility, and generosity that he demonstrated every day. Donations in his memory may be made to St. Elizabeth Foundation (stelizabethfoundation.org) or The McKay Academic Center at the Dunham School (dunhamschool.org).

A private funeral Mass will be held to honor his life.