Jeffrey Mackay

Jeffrey Mackay 70, of Morganton, NC passed away Wednesday, October 9, 2024. Born on October 3, 1954, in Detroit, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his parents Gerald and Betty Mackay, his mother-in-law Betty Deviney Daniels and his brother Dennis Mackay.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Lisa Deviney Mackay; sons, Michael Mackay, Adam Mackay (Molly), Taylor Mackay (Daniela); grandchildren, Franklin Mackay and Emmett Mackay; brother, Gary Mackay (Cathy); sisters-in-laws, Joanne Mackay, Kathy Zimmerman (John), Suzanne Eaton (Wayne); nephews, Bryan Mackay (Stacey), Phillip Mackay, John Zimmerman IV, Clint Zimmerman (Becca), Justin Eaton, Aaron Eaton (Michelle); niece, Rachel Baker (Adrian), and many great nephews and nieces, Uncle Bill and Aunt Dustie Mackay, cousins Mike Mackay and Jim (Karen) Mackay. And many friends he loved dearly.

Jeff’s early life was in Lincoln Park, Michigan, until the family moved to Grosse Ile, Michigan when he was a young boy. He remained friends with many of his classmates for the rest of his life. It was a joy for to him to go to his Grosse Ile High School 50 year class reunion in 2022. While attending Grosse Ile High School he participated in various sports, excelling in wrestling, track and cross country. His love of sports continued through his whole life. He played, he watched, he coached his kids’ teams, and he recorded. Jeff recorded almost every Michigan football and basketball game, being adamant that no one tell him the scores until he could watch for himself. He was a lifelong lover of sports. After App State beat Michigan both flags had to hang on his wall.

In 1972 Jeff volunteered and joined the United States Marine Corps leaving Michigan for California. There at the San Diego Marine Corps Recruitment Depot he began his training. Jeff loved boot camp. That is just the kind of guy he was. After boot camp he was stationed at Fort Mead, Maryland, for four years, followed by several years in reserves. He then traveled the country starting out with a trek to Alaska. His adventurous spirit lead him in many directions. He became involved with a Christian ministry and served in multiple places within the states and finally in VA Beach where he met his wife. They lived there until moving to Morganton in 1991 with their three children, settling down on Patton Road among a thriving group of good neighbors. Jeff loved the area. One of his favorite things was to sit on the back porch with his wife, and peacefully watch the sun go down over the mountains. Morganton became home.

Jeff spent his career owning and operating Mackay Painting. He loved Morganton and the historic buildings in particular. He was gregarious, and made many fast friends through his work. He would not miss his Friday afternoon pool friends get together, monthly Foothills Cigar Friends dinner and cigars, or his time working out at the gym. His family often teased him that he couldn’t go anywhere without stopping to talk with at least 10 people along the way. He enjoyed his life in Morganton and was happy and content to have settled there with his young family. Jeff loved his wife, children and grandchildren very much. He was a man who cherished his family and always had a minute to listen, offer advice, and was a role model. It was a blessing that he and many of his family members were able to have spent his last weekend together, playing with the new grandbaby, celebrating Jeff’s 70th birthday, and his and Lisa’s 39th wedding anniversary. Our only wish is that we could have had more time with him. He was taken too soon. We will cherish our memories of Jeff. Loved, gone but never forgotten.

A Celebration of Jeff’s Life will be held at Summit Community Church, Morganton, NC, on Thursday October 24, 2024, receiving friends from 3:00-4:30 with memorial service immediately following. Please join the family for dinner in the church fellowship hall, immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Special Operations Charity Network, The Burke Arts Council, or the Burke Community Foundation.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.