It is with an incredibly heavy heart and with extreme sorrow that we announce that our beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather has moved on to Heaven. He was honestly everything to our family. He was 86 when he passed away on April 11, 2026. We did not think it was his time, but he’s been called to be with the Lord. We have truly never known a better man.
James Archie McKay was born in Hornet County, North Carolina, on March 9, 1940. In 1959, he married Gloria Catherine McKay, and then in 1962, he moved to Virginia, where he raised his family. He had an amazing career at the Newport News Shipyard, spanning 41 years, where he retired as a supervisor.
He loved his family, country, and God more than anything. At no point can we remember him ever letting a single person down; if someone needed help with anything, he would always be there, no questions asked. When his children were growing up, he never missed a single one of his son’s wrestling tournaments. He helped his daughter earn her nursing degree and even helped her and his son-in-law get their first house. He took care of his wife in every way and was considered a second father to more people than can be counted. We cannot overstate how much he meant to not just our family, but his neighbors, the church he helped support, his extended family, and everyone he came across. God, faith, and scripture guided him in every decision and path he took.
James was preceded in death by his father, George Archie McKay, and his mother, Beulah Louise McKay. He is survived by his loving wife, Gloria Catherine McKay; his son, Michael James McKay; his daughter, Michelle McKay McCormick, and her husband, Alan McCormick, who would testify that James was like a father to him and was the best family man you could ask for. He is also survived by his sister, Margaret Magnum; his brother, Joe McKay; five grandchildren who consider him an amazing grandfather, Justin McCormick, Seth McCormick, James Dale McKay, Haley McGann, and Kaytlin Turner; his four great-grandchildren, who he considered a blessing from God, Ian McCormick, Riley Aguiar, Emmeline McCormick and Wayland Turner; and his nine nieces and nephews, Tony Kennedy, Julie Woodson, Crystal Morrison, Don Flynn, Darrell Flynn, Teresa Flynn, Steven Flynn, Katie Cambell, and Colleen McKay.
We celebrate his amazing life and the positive impact he has had on so many people at a visitation on Friday, April 17, 2026, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Peninsula Funeral Home. A funeral service at the funeral home will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 11:30 a.m., followed by committal at Parklawn Memorial Park.
We should see his life as an inspiration for how we should all live, striving to work hard and help others. Have fun with Jesus and the angels. We love you with all our hearts.