Obituary for Robert Mackey

Ponca City Now - November 11, 2022 4:53 pm

Robert F. Mackey

November 18, 1929 – November 8, 2022

Robert F. Mackey, 92, a lifelong resident of Ponca City, Oklahoma, died on November 8, 2022, of natural causes. A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, November 19, 2022, at Trout Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will immediately follow at Resthaven Memorial Gardens, next to his wife, Corrine (Cook) Mackey. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W. Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Robert was born on November 18, 1929, to Gilbert Lee and Stella Blanch (Russell) Mackey. Robert attended Garfield Grade School, East Jr. High School, and graduated from Ponca City High School. He proudly served two hitches in the U.S. Navy, first enlisting on August 5, 1947. He attended boot camp and Electrician’s Mate A School in San Diego, CA, before being assigned to the USS McKean, DD 784. His service on the USS McKean earned him a Japan Occupation Medal. Robert was honorably discharged on June 14, 1950.

Returning to Ponca City, his civilian life was interrupted by the Korean War, when he was recalled (drafted) to active duty on February 13, 1951, to serve on the USS McGinty, DE 365.While serving aboard the McGinty, the ship experienced multiple situations under enemy fire, including one incident where an unexploded rocket lodged in the ship’s decking. Of note, Robert had pictures he had personally taken of the projectile and pictures taken as the ship participated in the rescue of a downed American Pilot inside Wonson Harbor, North Korea.

During his second naval tour, Robert received the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Korean Service Medal, Bronze Star and the United Nations China Service Medal, before being discharge on June 13, 1952. Robert was a proud lifetime VFW member of Ponca City Post 12. In civilian life, Bob retired from OG&E, serving as an electrician/operator at both Osage and Sooner power plants.

Robert is survived by: his youngest daughter, Judy Smith; his son-in-law, Dennis Smith; four grandchildren, Jeremiah Smith and his wife, Cathryn, of Enid, OK, Jason Smith and his wife, Amanda, of Ponca City, OK, Stefanie Garrett and her husband, Scott, of Ponca City, OK and Brie Smith of Ponca City, OK; three step-grandchildren, Tina Chase of Monroe, LA, Jeremy Whiles and his wife, Laura, of Claremore, OK and Reneé Turner of Lowell, AR and numerous great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

Preceding Robert in death were his parents, his wife of 56 years, his oldest daughter, Karen Sue Whiles, four brothers, Gilbert Andrew, Walter Lee, Ronald Eugene and Carl Dean, two adult sisters Olive Josephine Saddler, Alberta Marie Johnson, and infant sister, Velda Blanche Mackey, two step-grandchildren, Steven Ronald Whiles and Jennifer Dianna (Whiles) McKinney.

Source: Trout Funeral Home