Mel's Story.
Melvin Leroy Mackey was born in Viking on 22 November 1939 to Cora (Hollar) Mackey and Samuel Leroy (Roy) Mackey. They owned the Viking Jewelry Store next to the Cash Store, and lived in the small rooms behind it. His brother, Vern, was born in 1942 and the family moved to Vernon, B.C. for a short time. By 1947 the family broke up and in 1950 Cora married Louis Anderson, on whose farm Mel has farmed as a child helper and later in 1972 moved his family there. He married Myrna Harray on July 22 1960. The family continues to live there as it has been in the family for 110 years
Mel has worn many hats in his life. He was a cowboy for several seasons, but the oil fields called and he worked his way from floor hand to tool push for Big Horn Drilling. He bought machinery and took over for his ailing step-father, Louis, in 1970, but continued to work in the oil patch. In 1972, when the family was in the process of moving, his young son, Melvin Reed, was killed in an accident. By that time the family had numbered five. and later two more were added and several foster children. He left the oil patch until the fall of 1974 when his friend and neighbour, Andy Osbak, asked him to work for three weeks and Mel stayed there for Sedco for 9 years working with his son and son-in-law among others. He still managed to farm with help from the family. He retired to straight farming in 1983. He added more land, better machinery, more horses and cattle. Papered horses were his passion and he raised good ones. As years went by, horses decreased both in value and numbers . Cattle remained, land was sold, other acres rented out but enough was kept to keep him busy. He loved auctions and was a regular at many. He passed away on Sept. 24, 2015 at St Mary's Hospital in Camrose after a short illness.
Mel is remembered with love by his wife of 55 years, Myrna, his sons and wives, Shannon (Marla) of Nanaimo, BC; Harlen(Gabrielle) of Viking; Jamie (Heidi Schwab)of Killam; daughters; Sina Lindquist( Victor) of Killam, Kristen Mackey (Daryl Fossum) of Duchess, Kari Mackey (Lenard Turcotte)of Killam, foster daughter Allyson Bakewell of Killam, Sister Evalee Murphy (Dan)of Tofield; 18 grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, three sisters-in -law, Dot, Ida Mae, Nancy; two brothers-in-law, Bruce and Lorne. And many aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents , step- parents, parents-in law , his brother Vernon, and his son Melvin Reed.
Melvin (Mel) Leroy Mackey of Killam, Alberta passed away Thursday, September 24, 2015 at Camrose, Alberta at the age of 75 years.
Memorial Service will be held, Thursday, October 1, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. at the Sedgwick Legion Hall, Sedgewick, Alberta. Inurnment will be in Bethania Cemetery.
Donations in memory of Mel may be made to Stars, Suite 100, 1519 – 35 Ave. East, Edmonton International Airport, Edmonton, T9E 0V6
Viking Funeral Services Ltd. 7803364842