Paul Baker McCay

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on June 5, 1924, he was bedridden with childhood illnesses and spent many hours reading about medicine and disease, which inspired him to pursue his lifelong career as a research scientist. After graduating Muskogee Central High School in 1943, he served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, driving supply trucks and building roads and bridges in Europe during World War II, and was honorably discharged in 1946.

Back stateside, he furthered his education under the tutelage of esteemed medical researchers, earning a B.S. and an M.S. in Zoological Sciences from the University of Oklahoma in 1948 and 1950, respectively. After serving as a Teaching Fellow at New York University, he joined the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) in 1954 as a research associate and obtained a Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma School of Medicine in 1955.

At OMRF he conducted important studies into how the body’s metabolic processes are damaged as people age. He was named head of OMRF’s Biochemistry Section in 1972, when it was retitled the Biomembrane Research Laboratory, which is known today as the Aging and Metabolism Research Program. He retired as OMRF’s third Distinguished Career Scientist in 1993. He published over 130 scientific articles, co-authoring three as late as 2011. His research focused on free radicals, vitamin E, and cures for breast cancer.

During his full and active retirement, he travelled extensively with numerous friends, often to favorite destinations in Mexico and Puerto Rico. Before and after retirement, he enjoyed moving to and redecorating several different residences, painting, playing piano, walking his dog Ruff and predecessor pets, and entertaining friends and family.

Paul was predeceased by his partner Bob Gene Seese, parents Robert Clinton, Jr. and Lyda Grace Baker McCay, brother Robert Clinton McCay, III, sister Marcia McCay Goodman, and brothers-in-law George Goodman and Charles Seese. He is survived by sister-in-law Karen Margrethe McCay, nephews R. Scott McCay and John Seese, nieces Elizabeth McCay Equi, Peggy McCay Whittington, Sheri Amend, Barbara Seese, and their spouses and children. The family plans to hold a private remembrance in the future. Memorial contributions may be made to OMRF, the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or other charities of your choice.