John Clark McKay Sr.

John McKay, 72, passed away on June 6, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. Though our hearts are broken by his passing, we find comfort in knowing that he is now in the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. John lived a life marked by faith, hard work, devotion to his family, and a love for the simple blessings that God provided each day.

John was born on June 10, 1953, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Gary and Marta (DeGarza) McKay. From an early age, he developed the strong work ethic, determination, and values that would define the rest of his life. Those who knew John knew a man who was dependable, honest, and willing to help anyone in need. He was the kind of person who showed his love through his actions, always putting others before himself and working tirelessly to provide for the people he cared about most.

Perhaps the most important part of John's life was his faith. He loved Jesus with all his heart and lived his life according to his beliefs. He was a man of prayer who genuinely cared about the well-being of others. If you shared a burden with John, you could count on him to pray for you. Likewise, he was humble enough to ask others to pray for him. His faith sustained him through life's joys and hardships, and it gave him hope, strength, and peace. He wanted others to know the love and grace of God, and he lived as an example of that faith every day.

Above all else, John was devoted to his family. He was a loving husband, a proud father, a cherished grandfather, and a loyal friend. His wife, Lutisha, was the love of his life and his greatest blessing. She was his best friend, his partner, his number one, and the person with whom he shared life's joys and challenges. Their love was evident to everyone who knew them. John often spoke of her with admiration and affection, and there was never a doubt that she was the center of his world. She was truly the apple of his eye.

John was the kind of father every child hopes to have. He loved his children unconditionally and took immense pride in each of them. He worked hard throughout his life to provide for his family, ensuring they had what they needed and knew they were loved. He was always willing to lend a hand, offer advice, or simply be there when his children needed him. His grandchildren brought him tremendous joy, and he treasured every opportunity to spend time with them. Whether sharing stories, teaching life lessons, or simply enjoying their company, he made each grandchild feel loved and valued.

A dedicated and hardworking man, John spent 25 years working for Boeing. He was proud of the work he accomplished during his career and the role he played in projects that were important to our nation. Among his many accomplishments, he had the privilege of working on Air Force One, the presidential aircraft, as well as the Airborne Laser program and numerous military aircraft. He approached every task with professionalism, dedication, and pride. Those who worked alongside him knew him as someone who could always be counted on. His work ethic was second to none, and he believed that a job worth doing was worth doing right.

When he wasn't working, John found peace and happiness outdoors. He loved fishing and enjoyed the calmness and solitude that came with spending time on the water. The ocean held a special place in his heart, and he never tired of its beauty. He also loved ranch life and took great pride in caring for his land and livestock. One of his greatest joys was raising Longhorn cattle. Many evenings were spent sitting on his porch, quietly watching over the herd he had worked so hard to build. Those moments brought him a deep sense of satisfaction and peace.

John had a special love for animals and treated them as members of the family. His beloved dog, Rosie, was his faithful companion and brought him endless happiness. Yappie, his cat, proudly ruled over the barn cat crew and always seemed to keep things in order around the ranch. John often referred to them as his fur-kids, and anyone who knew him understood how much he cared for them.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Gary and Marta McKay; his beloved son, Jason Rae McKay; and his cherished grandson, Josiah McKay. While he carried the pain of those losses in his heart, he never lost his faith and looked forward to the day he would see them again.

He is survived by his loving wife, Lutisha Ann (Rowson) McKay; his children, Michelle Renee McKay, John Clark (Christin) McKay II, Christopher Wade Hampton McKay, David Micah McKay, Debra Ann (James) Neubauer, and Gary Rosendo (Andrea) McKay; grandchildren Jordan, Alec, Austin, Aaron, Riley, Jonathan, Jaydan, Brett, Daquardi, Gage, Hank, and Boaz; numerous great-grandchildren; siblings Marta (Mike) Breth, Barbara (David) Eckerman, and Richard (Ashlie) McKay; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends whose lives were blessed by knowing him.

John's legacy is one of faith, perseverance, hard work, generosity, and unconditional love. He leaves behind a family that adored him, friends who respected him, and countless memories that will be treasured for generations. While his physical presence will be deeply missed, his lessons, values, laughter, and love will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew him.

A visitation will be held on Friday, June 12, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Hillside Funeral Home West, 2929 West 13th Street North, Wichita, Kansas 67203.

A celebration of John's life will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Church At The Cross, 2900 W. Taft, Wichita, Kansas.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." — Matthew 25:23

Though we mourn his absence, we rejoice in the promise that because of his faith in Christ, this is not goodbye, but until we meet again.