He quit school after the eighth grade at the age of 15 to enlist in the United States Navy, lying about his age to go fight Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. He served aboard the “Liberty Ships” during 1943-1944. At the age of 17, he participated in the invasion of Normandy, fighting on D-Day to liberate Europe from the iron grip of the Nazis. After the surrender of Germany, he and his shipmates celebrated VE Day (Victory in Europe) with the people of England. He was then stationed in San Francisco, preparing to sail with the armada to invade Japan. After the Japanese surrendered following the atomic strikes on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, he returned home to Tryon, where he met and married the love of his life, Edith Roach McKaig. He would go on to serve in the Korean War aboard the USS Princeton CV 37, attack aircraft carrier, launching airstrikes supporting the Marines against the Communist Chinese. During the Vietnam War, he served aboard the USS Northhampton, which served as the flagship for the Atlantic strike force and the “floating White House” to which the President could be evacuated in the event of a nuclear attack.
Fred and Edith had three children together and eventually moved to Raleigh, where he worked as a Navy recruiter. Fred retired from the Navy in 1967 with the rank of E9 Master Chief Petty Officer. This is the highest enlisted rank a sailor can reach. He began a second career becoming a vice president for Southeastern Sales Corporation, where he worked for another 25 years and finally post retirement worked at Enterprise Rent-a-Car while in his 70’s and 80’s.
Fred lived a life of service to his family, church, neighbors, and friends. Those who knew Fred would describe him as a kind, humble, and selfless man who, despite all the challenges and struggles and sacrifices he faced in his life, he never complained. His greatest joy was spending time with his family and especially watching his children play sports and pursue their interests and grow into adulthood. He loved growing vegetables in his garden and cooking wonderful meals for his family. We will never forget the joy and laughter and togetherness we shared every Sunday after church. We would gather at our parents’ home and he would cook an enormous meal that rivaled any Thanksgiving feast. His deep and eternal love for his wife, Edith, was an inspiration to us all, and his selfless devotion to her continued even as the years wore on and time took its inevitable toll on their health. Up to age 94, with Edith’s health failing and memory vanishing, he remained steadfast by her side, serving not only as her partner and lifelong sweetheart, but also as her caretaker, despite his own physical decline. When she peacefully passed away on September 28th of last year, he was by her side to the end. Now they are reunited for all eternity.
Fred is pre-deceased by his parents and nearly all of his siblings. He is survived by his three children: Steve (Sonya), Rosemary (Bob Hostetler), and Ben (Deborah), as well as his brother, Franklin (Sadie). Grandchildren include Ryan, Justin, Caroline, David, and Scott (Katie), Katie McKaig Parker (Tim), Lauren and Erin Jones, Bonnie Hostetler Walling (Amanda), and Maggie McKaig Vacquier (Paul). Great grandchildren include Chance Hostetler, Lincoln and London Parker, Jack, Liam and Aiden McKaig, and Siena, Finn, Margot, and Reef Vacquier. Also, he is survived by Edith’s sister Dietra Roach Howard, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Family visitation and a celebration of life will be held at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 East Millbrook Road in Raleigh, NC, at 2:00 p.m. on September 8, 2022.
A visitation will be held at McFarland Funeral Chapel from 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 10, 2022. A memorial service with celebration in song lead by Dr. Leslie Bush will be held at 2:30 p.m.
Burial will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens in Columbus, NC, where Edith Roach McKaig and Jesse Fred McKaig will be laid to rest. Military Honors will be provided by the Polk County Memorial Honor Guard.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.brownwynneeastmillbrook.com for the McKaig family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.17