Born September 29, 1929 to Joe and Myrtle Mackey in Red Bluff, CA. He had one brother Joe Mackey. He lived most of his life in Red Bluff, CA however the family did move around some and lived in Lakeview, Oregon for a short time when he was a young boy returning to Red Bluff in 1938. He was first trumpet in the in the high school band and was even offered a job to play trumpet with a circus which he turned down. He graduated from Red Bluff High in 1948 In the early years he worked as a milk man, Red Star Laundry Service and Standard Oil to name a few. He eventually went on to become a fireman for the Red Bluff Fire Department. He started at the fire department as a volunteer in 1952 he was then hired as an engineer in 1965, then moved up to captain in 1973, to battalion chief in 1974 and finally became the assistant chief in 1980 and retired in 1991. While working for the fire department he was instrumental in getting the first rescue squad for the north state, taught CPR, first aid and hunters safety classes.
He was married to Ellen Mort on November 15, 1949. They were married for almost 60 years before she passed away in October 2009. Together they had four children, Linda Mackey Frost, Terry Mackey (Sandy), Sharon Mackey Sinclair (David) and Steven Mackey (Nancy). They had 5 grandchildren: Nicole Sinclair Grindel (John), Sarah Sinclair Swain (Kenny), Liz Sinclair, Douglas Mackey (Kathy Jo), Carl Mackey (Tara) and 7 great-grandchildren Taylor and Maddi Grindel, Catlyn, Hannah and Ava Mackey and Emma, Farrah, and Joseph Mackey.
Graveside services will be October 26, 2018 at 11:00 am at Oak Hill Cemetery. A reception will follow at the family home of Delbert. The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers that donations may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (501 St. Jude Place Memphis TN 38105).
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