John McVay

John Franklin McVay Admist the winter chill of November 21, 1944, at Claremore Regional Hospital in Claremore, Oklahoma, John’s entrance into the world marked the beginning of his cherished life by his beloved mother, Mary Jane (Bigham) McVay, and his father, James Walter "Mac" McVay. As the eldest among his siblings, he was followed by his dear sister Lora and two younger brothers; Jim and Dan. John held a profound love for his mother, treasuring her dearly throughout his life, long after her passing. In the early morning hours of March 13, 2024, in his family home, he provided for his wife and girls, at the age of 79, John embarked on his journey to reunite with his mom and dad in his Heavenly home. He departed this world on his own terms, exactly as he wished. John's absence is deeply felt by everyone who had the privilege of knowing and loving him. John proudly graduated from Delaware High School with the Class of 1965, earning membership in the state honor society. He continued his educational journey at Coffeyville Community College, laying the foundation for a lifelong career in tooling, manufacturing, and engineering. But John's thirst for knowledge didn't end there. He pursued numerous certifications and diplomas through various continuing education programs, further enhancing his expertise in his chosen field. His family held him in high regard, recognizing his accomplishments with great pride. John dedicated himself to expanding his knowledge and skills, contributing to significant projects such as designing the 'Peacekeeper' Missile, manufacturing batteries for the International Space Station, contributing to Space Shuttle tooling, and designing for iconic aircraft like the Boeing 747 and the B1 Stealth Bomber. Few were aware of John's hidden talent for drawing and painting, skills that would prove invaluable in his career. He possessed a remarkable ability to seamlessly continue a drawing or painting from one sheet to another, effortlessly creating symmetrical images without needing to line the sheets together. This talent not only showcased his artistic prowess but also contributed to his success in his professional endeavors. John's expertise in tool design and manufacturing was in high demand, even after he experienced a debilitating heart attack. Despite his health setback, he continued to receive numerous job offers and accepted various contract positions because of his deep passion for his career. Committed to providing well for his family, John was a dedicated worker, often going above and beyond expectations. His relentless dedication earned him the prestigious title of Master Tool Designer, granting him membership in the esteemed Association of Master Tool Designers of the US. John's industrious nature extended beyond his professional life. Even after returning home from work, he was never one to idle away his time. Throughout his early and middle career years, it was not uncommon for John to hold down multiple jobs simultaneously, a testament to his exceptional work ethic. His employment history painted a picture of his diverse skills and unwavering commitment. From humble beginnings at a home town gas station to roles at Laten Oil Company, Coffeyville Flour Mill, Paul Benson Mechanics, Funk Manufacturing, and Rockwell International, John's career trajectory culminated in a fulfilling retirement from Boeing Aerospace in Tulsa, Oklahoma. On July 8, 1967, John exchanged vows with Margaret Jane Smith of Delaware, and remained in union until his passing. Together, they lovingly nurtured their family, embracing the joy of raising three daughters: Tracy, Tina, and Tosha. As their daughters blossomed into adulthood, finding love and starting families of their own, John and Jane reveled in the abundant blessings of added sons-in-law, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren that graced their lives. John always delighted in sharing his wealth of knowledge with anyone eager to learn, and sometimes even with those not so eager. Whether it was demonstrating the art of skinning a fish, imparting driving skills-including how to handle a 3-speed in the column, the intricacies of milking a cow, guiding them in the art of riding a horse, or passing on the serene patience required for fishing, John's enthusiasm for teaching knew no bounds. He was also gifted in passing on practical skills like knot tying for fishing lines, hunting techniques such as setting up and patiently waiting for whitetail, as well as dressing them out, small engine repair of all sorts, plumbing, and electrical wiring to his sons-in-law. Additionally, he found joy in sharing his love for space, airplanes, and gardening with his grandkids and lighthearted bird calls with his great-granddaughter. His willingness to impart his knowledge left an invaluable impact on those in his life. In addition to his professional accomplishments and family involvement, John had a passion for a diverse array of activities. An avid gardener, he possessed a green thumb and could cultivate a wide variety of plants, from vegetables and flowers to fruit and nut trees. At one point, he even tended to an impressive collection of 80 different varieties of irises. John's love for birds extended to all creatures, and he took great care to ensure the well-being of the birds in both his front and back yards. This affection for animals led him to own a 10-acre farm in Kansas for several years early in his marriage, where he raised pigs, chickens, rabbits, cows, along with a horse, even a goat that wondered in to take residence. During his downtime, John found joy in fishing, boating, and hunting, all while holding a profound admiration for firearms and advocating strongly for the right to bear arms. He frequently shared the story of shaking hands with the Great Roy Clark at a friend's funeral in Nowata County, viewing it as a memorable achievement and great honor. He cherished the moments spent dancing with Jane at the VFW, reminiscing about Roy Clark's performances before the legendary host took the stage on the classic show, Hee Haw. And, of course, he proudly mentioned his family ties to Dolly Parton and Elvis Presley. As a young boy, John's grandmother bestowed upon him a collection of special coins, sparking a remarkable journey into the world of coin collecting. With pride, John would showcase his collection to others, eagerly recounting the unique history behind each coin he had acquired over the years. John cultivated several meaningful friendships throughout his life and had a very special and cherished bond with John and Judy Parnell of Nowata. The loss of his best friend, John Parnell, several years ago, left an enduring void in John's heart, one he never fully recovered from. Today, we find comfort in the belief that John and John are reunited once again, rejoicing in each other's company. John is preceded in death by both his parents, James Walter McVay and Mary Jane (Bigham) McVay, of Delaware, OK, and his sister, Lora Ann McVay, of Nowata, OK. Recently, he also shared in the grief of his family's loss of his beloved son-in-law and oldest daughter Tracy's husband, Richard Allen Boone. John is survived by his wife, Margaret Jane McVay, of the home. Daughter Tracy (McVay) Boone, granddaughter Brittany Boone, great-granddaughter Brielle Davis, and great-grandson Bridyn Davis all reside in Delaware, OK. Daughter Tina (McVay) Flower and son-in-law Randy Flower Sr., granddaughter Jennifer (Flower) Lewis, grandson-in-law Jacob Lewis, great-granddaughter Sophie Lewis, granddaughter Jessika Flower, grandson Randy Flower Jr., granddaughter in love Caroline Jordan, great-grandson Gabriel Flower, great-granddaughter Eden Flower, grandson Tyler Flower, granddaughter Katerina Flower all reside in Delaware, OK. Daughter Tosha (McVay) Tanquary, son-in-law Aaron Tanquary, grandson Isaiah Tanquary, grandson Noah Tanquary, granddaughter Olivia Tanquary, granddaughter Adelynn Tanquary, grandson Olin Tanquary all reside in Shawnee, OK. Granddaughter Makayla Tanquary resides in Vancouver, WA. Granddaughter Alisha (Tanquary) Shreffler, grandson-in-law Ezekiel Shreffler, and great-grandson Jeriah Shreffler reside in Bethany, OK. Grandson Isaac Tanquary, granddaughter-in-law Samantha Tanquary, and great-granddaughter Hazel Tanquary reside in Yukon, OK. John's surviving siblings include brother James McVay and Sister-in-law Rhonda McVay of Nowata, and brother Daniel McVay of Delaware. John also leaves behind nieces and nephews Stacy, Michael, Sarah, Daniel, and David along with several great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins. A Celebration of John's Life will take place on April 20, 2024, at 11:00 am at the Delaware First Baptist Church in Delaware, Oklahoma. The family of John extends a warm welcome to all who wish to remember and celebrate his life to join them for this special service. Following the service, the family invites those who desire to stay and reminisce about John's life to linger and enjoy lunch and fellowship together.

John McVay

November 21, 1944 - March 13, 2024