Funeral services for Kenneth Martin McKay, Sr., 84, of Archibald, LA were held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, June 12, 2021 at Cedar Baptist Church, Archibald, LA with Bro. Rick Aultman and Hugh Hodge officiating. Interment followed in the Lynn Cemetery, Archibald, LA under the direction of Brown-Holley Funeral Home, Rayville, LA.
Ken was born July 9, 1936 in Archibald, LA and passed away at his home in Archibald on Thursday, June 10, 2021. The family would like to extend their gratitude to Caring Hands Hospice and Dr. Kevin Carlisle.
Ken had a love of southern gospel music and served as music director of Cedar Baptist Church in Archibald. He also enjoyed singing in a gospel group called Jesus Sound with his sister-in-law, and wife.
He retired with 30 years as Chief Land Surveyor with LADOTD in 1987. After retirement, he opened his own business as a professional land surveyor, McKay Land Surveying, Inc. in Rayville, LA until 2015. He also served as Richland Parish Police Juror for 24 years.
At his home in Archibald, Ken began Bee Bayou Kennels where he raised many great bird dogs. He was an amateur in Region 6 of the Dixie Circuit, and his short-hair pointer Bee Bayou Buddy was the 1989 North American Champion in Canada. Ken traveled all over the south running his dogs in field trials. Toward the end of his amateur career, he became a professional field trial judge. He loved history and was an avid reader.
Ken is preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Mabel McKay; brothers, Randle McKay, Doug McKay, and Harry McKay.
Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Elaine Ezell McKay; children, Ken McKay, Jr. of Mangham, Melanie Gable and husband, Rhett of Archibald, and Scott McKay and wife, Jessica of Archibald; grandchildren, Jesse McKay of Mangham, Haley McKay of Seattle, WA, Hannah Gable of Archibald, Dakota McKay of Archibald, and Brady McKay of Monroe; and his numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Pallbearers were Brady McKay, Dakota McKay, Jesse McKay, Steven Hemphill, Hugh Hodge, and Elliott Maples. Honorary pallbearers were Doug “Boy” Brown, Shelton Sharbono, J.L. Hendrix, and Gerald Hegwood.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ben Waites Ministry. Online donations, www.benwaites.com/donate or P.O. Box 2751, Crossville, TN 38557.
Visitation was 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM, Saturday, June 12, 2021 at Cedar Baptist Church, Archibald, LA.
Condolences may be left at brownholleyfuneralhomes.com.