Gerald G. “Jerry” McKay

Gerald G. “Jerry” McKay

April 4, 1930 – February 20, 2021

Age 90

Jerry was born in St. Edward, NE, to Arthur and Lenna (Saville) McKay. He passed away in Papillion, NE. Jerry graduated from St. Edward High School in 1948. He attended Norfolk Junior College in Norfolk, NE. He married his high school sweetheart, Mary Force, and they moved to Blair, NE, where they both worked for the Hunt Telephone Company.

He joined the Navy during the Korean War. Jerry and Mary were stationed at Pearl Harbor, HI, where their son Timothy was born at Tripler Army Hospital. After being discharged from the Navy, they returned to St. Edward, NE, where he worked for N. W. Bell Telephone Company. They lived in Norfolk, NE, where their daughter Mary Kathleen was born. They moved to Grand Island, NE, living there for 5 years before moving to Bellevue, NE, in 1963.

Mary and Jerry joined St. James United Methodist Church in 1963 and were active in many ways in the church including singing in the choir and serving on several committees. They helped serve communion monthly at Hillcrest Care Center for 15 years, providing the music as needed.  Jerry was a member of St. James United Methodist Men and the newsletter committee.

This musically talented couple also sang with the Voices of Omaha for 17 years where they presented Handel’s Messiah at Christmas time. He sang for several years with the Bellevue Senior Singers as they entertained at churches and senior centers in the area.

He belonged to the VFW and the American Legion, and was a member of the Masonic Lodge and worked with Jobs Daughters for several years. Jerry had a deep love of family and so enjoyed his three grandchildren, Jennifer, Joshua and Jerrid. His hobbies included music, bicycling, canoeing, amateur radio (KOFPM), fishing and traveling. He enjoyed the trip with the church choir to Coventry, England, his trip to Jamaica, and traveling about the United States.

Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, and his parents. He is survived by his son Tim and wife Channon of Omaha; daughter Kathy and husband Alan Bobbitt of Garland, TX; grandson Josh and wife Chastine Bobbitt of Kansas; granddaughter Jennifer and husband Kirk Larson of Austin, TX; grandson Jerrid McKay of Bellevue; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation following CDC guidelines: Friday, February 26, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. with Masonic Services at 7:00 p.m., at Bellevue Memorial Chapel.

Funeral Service following CDC guidelines: Saturday, February 27, 10:00 a.m., St. James United Methodist Church East Campus, 1501 Franklin Street, Bellevue.

Click the link below to view video of the service.

https://boxcast.tv/view/gerald-g-jerry-mckay-funeral-service-403876

Interment: Evergreen Cemetery, St. Edward, NE

Military Honors: United States Navy Honor Guard

Memorials suggested to St. James United Methodist Church.

9 Comments

  • Marcia Adams Posted February 24, 2021 10:28 am

    Our Cub Scout pack was sponsored by the St James Methodist Men and Jerry was always willing to share his love of amateur radio with our youth. He would set up his radio equipment in the fellowship hall and give our boys the opportunity to visit with other scouts all around the world. He was a wonderful man and will be remembered by the boys he so generously gave his time.

  • Ernest Schreiber Posted February 24, 2021 4:42 pm

    I knew Gerry from the engineering department of Northwestern Bell. He was very helpful to me. I reminisced
    with him several times at Richmont Village. He always listened intently to what I said, as I did him. I’ll miss him.

  • Evelyn Martin Posted February 26, 2021 1:15 pm

    I was pleased to be a good friend of Jerry for several years. We spoke on the phone nearly every day. He was my prayer partner. I miss him already. I am looking forward to seeing him in Heaven whenever Jesus calls me Home.

  • Mike Wilson Posted February 26, 2021 7:52 pm

    Jerry and I quickly became friends when I moved to Bellevue and went to St. James. Our Navy service, although separated by decades, was a strong bond but music and Methodist Men also brought us together. Even once I moved away he kept in touch with me periodically. I will always remember his bright smile and cheerful attitude.

  • Tim Brown Posted February 26, 2021 10:23 pm

    Heaven gained an angel! I met Jerry at St James East in 1997 and served with him as a member of the United Methodist Men. Regardless of the circumstance, he always smiled. I’ll never forget his smile–it was natural!

  • VICKI FULLER Posted February 27, 2021 6:55 am

    I grew up attending St. James. Seeing Jerry and Mary’s love for each other was beautiful and inspiring. Jerry had such a great smile and laugh.

  • Germaine Charleston Posted February 27, 2021 10:36 am

    I had the privilege of singing with Jerry and Mary on the Voices of Omaha for several years. I was pleasantly surprised to see Jerry when. I joined the St James Chancel Choir years later. I have missed Jerry’s smiling face at choir and at church. Well done Mr Jerry. My prayers and sympathy are with his family.

  • Karen Nelson peterson Posted February 27, 2021 2:36 pm

    I am so sorry to hear of Jerry’s passing. Too late to make visitation or funeral, please know the avery neighborhood is thinking of you

  • Craig Kruse Posted March 2, 2021 8:00 pm

    I worked with Tim at Northwestern Bell for several years, and knew Gerry through co-workers in Engineering. Tim, we are sorry for your loss, and will pray for God’s comforting hand on you and all of the family as you grieve.

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