Former Alaska resident, Ovid R. “Mac” McKinley, 85, died December 9, at Harbor Hospice Hospital in Beaumont, Texas.
Mr. McKinley was born November 26, 1922, in Seattle, Washington, to Galloway Loyd “G.L.” and Betty Davidson McKinley.
He married Juanita M. Callahan on June 9, 1944, in Alderwood, Washington.
Prior to 1940, Mac traveled by box car in numerous trains in the southwestern states. He was in the Civilian Conservation Corps during 1940-41 and had various other jobs before he came to Alaska by boat in 1946, stopping in Kodiak. Three months later he was joined in Kodiak by Nita and their oldest daughter Dale, where they stayed for the next twenty-six years.
During his years in Kodiak, “Mac” worked on the naval base as a taxi driver, Kodiak Police Department Patrolman, and later, as acting Chief of Police. He joined the Marshall’s Office as a Territorial Deputy Marshall and upon Statehood, entered the Department of Fish and Game as a Protection Officer. This job eventually took the family to Fairbanks and then to the Mat-Su Valley. In 1970 Mac moved his family to Cordova where he established the City Police Department. Later he worked as the Chief of Police in Seward. During his time in Cordova he was also the Customs Agent. He also worked construction and drove the airport shuttle and ended his working years working security on the Alaska Pipeline for American Guard and Alert. Mac was also a private pilot. He has resided in Texas the last five years.
During retirement he spent Tuesday afternoons volunteering at the Alaska State Troopers Museum in Anchorage.
He is survived by his children, Dale McKinley and Ed Denmon of Buna, Texas, Mike McKinley and wife Andee of Anchorage, Alaska, Dan McKinley, Velda Brown and husband Steve, Trish Robinson and husband Craig of Wasilla, Alaska, Marylin Urness and husband Dan of Fort McLeod, Alberta, Canada, Nellie Nelson and husband Mark of Spencer Iowa, and Kate Jaeger and husband Dan of Cordova, Alaska; fifteen grandchildren; and eleven great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his wife of fifty-six years, Juanita, in 2000, and one grandson, Ovid Dale Cates.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mac’s memory to The American Cancer Society.
Arrangements are under the direction of Broussard’s Mortuary, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee, Texas. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
