James (Jim) Elton McKay passed away peacefully of natural causes at the age of 102 on August 18, 2026. A private family burial will occur in the Western Montana State Veterans Cemetery.

Jim was born on August 11, 1924 in Lincoln, Nebraska to Merle McKay and Ruth (Jameson) McKay. He grew up on the family farm outside the small town of Weeping Water, Nebraska. Life was challenging on the farm during the Great Depression and he learned the value of hard work and self-reliance at an early age. An only child, he tragically lost his mother when he was only six years old. The loss of her love at such a young age deeply affected him, and it may be because of that loss that he always made sure that all who were close to him knew that they were loved.

He graduated high school in 1942 and entered the US Navy, serving throughout the Pacific during World War II. While in California during that time, he met the love of his life, Rose Hidalgo, the daughter of Spanish immigrants. They married in 1945 in Reno, Nevada, when Jim had a 72 hour leave.

After the war, he stayed in the Bay Area where he became a successful shoe repairman. He had many loyal customers and was respected by his peers for both the quality and quantity of his work. He attended night school for many years, eventually earning an AA degree and a vocational teaching certificate. He then transitioned in 1974 to become a vocational instructor of shoe repair at the California Correctional Center in Susanville, California.

Jim was an active member of all of his communities and was involved in numerous civic groups throughout his life, including the Masonic Lodge, White Shrine, Lassen County Sportsmen, Lassen Rock Club, the Good Sam Club, and many others. He was a great member of any club because of his affable nature and because when work needed to be done he was the first to arrive and the last to leave. His efforts were widely recognized and he was named Susanville‘s Citizen of the Year in 1998.

Jim and Rose moved to Missoula, Montana in 2005 to be closer to family. In Missoula, he stayed busy woodworking, gardening, reading, attending his Montana grandchildren‘s many school and sporting events, and taking care of his wife Rose until her passing in 2015, four months shy of their 70th wedding anniversary. He very much enjoyed meeting his many friends at Mall Walkers multiple times each week, starting from when he arrived in Missoula in 2005 and continuing until he was 101 years old.

Jim was proceeded in death by his wife Rose. He is survived by daughter Phyllis Jones of Salinas, California; son Jim McKay of Missoula, Montana; grandchildren Heather Bakich of California and Tom, Morgan, and Ian McKay of Missoula; and great-granddaughters Mia and Natalie Bakich.

Dad possessed a rare combination of admirable qualities: he was smart, tough, stoic, disciplined, and hard-working, but was also very loving and possessed a kind soul and gentle heart. He was full of wisdom, but not unsolicited advice. He was a gentleman. He was an optimist. He was the favorite uncle. He was a great hugger. We, his family, were fortunate to have him in our lives for as long as we did and are grateful for his long life, but still can’t help but deeply mourn his passing, as it leaves a profound void in our our hearts and our lives. Thank you, Dad, for your unconditional love and for being such a great role model for all of us.