Robert 'Bob' McKay, Jr., 81

Robert “Bob” Ellis McKay Jr. was born Dec. 23, 1943, to Ada Louise Tompkins McKay and Robert Ellis McKay Sr. in Hartford, Conn. When he was in grade school, his family moved to San Gabriel, Calif. There, he attended local schools and graduated from high school June 15, 1961. Bob then attended Pasadena City College for one year, after which he left school to work a variety of jobs until he enlisted in the Army on July 7, 1965. He served in Vietnam for his full tour of duty overseas, where he was exposed to Agent Orange. He was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant Feb. 7, 1969. Upon returning home from the war, he met and then later married Patricia Ann Prouse on Oct. 24, 1969, at Granada Park Methodist Church. Their first residence was in Temple City, where Bob worked as a master mechanic for Temple City Foreign Motors, specializing in Porsche, Audi and Volkswagen motors. He later took a job with JPL (Jet Propulsion Lab) in Pasadena, Calif., working on the Mariner project. 

In 1973, Bob and his family moved to Osburn, Idaho, where they lived for the next 45 years. During this period, Bob pursued various occupations. He opened Osburn Foreign Motors, which he ran for four years as a master mechanic, until he took a position at Hecla Mining Company in Mullan, Idaho, as a hard rock miner and later a hoist man. He worked for the company for 19 years until a strike caused him to change careers again, and he became a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in the Silver Valley. He worked there until his early retirement in 2006 due to a heart condition.

Bob's health didn't slow him down. He filled his days serving the veterans of the Silver Valley through the Osburn VFW, the Am vets, and the American Legion. He held various offices in all of these organizations at the local and state levels over the years. Bob was also active in his church and took college classes toward an accounting degree.

In 2016, Bob and his wife moved to Pryor, Okla. He enjoyed his neighbors, his church family and the local veterans there. He held several offices in the Salina VFW and the American Legion Posts until his return to Idaho in November of 2024. He resided with his family in Post Falls, Idaho, until his passing Feb. 25, 2025, at the age of 81.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Phillip McKay, and his son, Joshua McKay. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Patricia McKay; his two daughters and their spouses: Tricia and Tom Antles, and Jennifer and Rick Spaulding; his daughter-in-law, Nisa McKay; 18 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

His life can be summarized as a loving and loyal man who was faithful to his Lord Jesus Christ, his country, his family and his fellow veterans. He has left quite a legacy.

Bob's interment will be held at the columbarium wall at Day's Cemetery on Maddison Street in Osburn, Idaho, on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 1 p.m., followed by a celebration of life at 2 p.m. at the Osburn VFW Hall Post 1675, 318 E. Mullan Ave., Osburn, Idaho. All are welcome and invited to attend.

Please visit Bob’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.

    McKay