James "Jim" P. McKay

Published October 23, 2018 at 6:40 PM

James P. McKay, age 71, of St. Cloud died unexpectedly on October 15, 2018 at his cabin in Hackensack, MN.

A memorial service celebration of Jim's life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at the Benson Funeral Home Chapel, St. Cloud, MN. Visitation will be from 4-7 PM on Friday October 26, 2018 and one hour prior to the service. A private family burial will take place at MN State Veteran's Cemetery, Little Falls, MN at a later date.

James Peter McKay, was born on October 30, 1946 in Brainerd, MN to Peter and Mardell (Lyonais) McKay. He served his country in the United States Army. Jim was preceded in death by his wife Joyce Barnes in 1986 and also his father, mother, and brother Gary. Jim worked many years as a science teacher in Akeley, MN before moving to the St. Cloud area. He also worked as a chemist at the nuclear power plant in Monticello until his retirement in 2009. Jim enjoyed hikes, walks, socializing, photography, reading, traveling, camping out west, fishing, finding treasures at garage sales, building things, and collecting fossils. He was very active and will be remembered by those who knew him for his kind and generous spirit, wonderful sense of humor, willingness to always help others, and his love of teaching children. Jim's greatest pleasure came from spending time with family and friends, especially his children and grandchildren.

Jim is survived by his children, Mark McKay of Coleraine, MN; Kari (Travis) Ehlenfeldt of Andover, MN, Mike (Amanda) McKay of St. Cloud, MN, Paul McKay of St. Cloud, MN and Katie McKay of St. Cloud, MN; 12 grandchildren, Chris, Sadie, Jessica, and Joseph McKay, Gavin, Addison, and Logan Ehlenfeldt, and Ana, Eve, Valerie, Luke and Owen McKay; brother, John (Peggy) McKay of Brainerd, MN; sisters, Bev Walker of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Jane Herron of Bemidji, MN; and life partner, Donna Grube of Marietta, MN.