Marvin George Mackey
Marvin
George Mackey, 88, passed away from
complications of lung cancer August 27, 2013, at
his home in Libby. Memorial services will be
held at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 7, at Christ
Lutheran Church in Libby.He was horn January 12, 1925, to Evert and Florence Hays Mackey in Copeland, Idaho. The family moved to Bonners Ferry, later that year, where Marvin grew up and graduated from high school May 30, 1943.
He was the first in that school’s history to achieve a high school diploma in only three years.
Marvin enlisted in the Army Air Corps Cadet Program in lieu of being drafted into the regular Army. This allowed him to finish high school before reporting for basic training in June 1943. He attended the 90-day flying school program at the Agricultural College in Cedar City, Utah, then radio school and gunnery school before being assigned to a crew in June 1944. He served as nose gunner in a B-24 bomber based in England.
He completed 12 missions before his plane crashed and burned shortly after takeoff on Mission Number 13 on December 27, 1944. Nine crew members perished with only three survivors.
Marvin was severely burned and spent three months recovering in a hospital in England. He was honorably discharged from the service October 15, 1945.
On June 23, 1946, Marvin married Lillian Marie Johansson, a Libby native. They were blessed with three children: Tym, Dan and Pam. A niece, Glenice Nass, also lived with the Mackeys at times and was considered part of the immediate family.
In his youth, Marvin worked with his father in farming and logging using horses extensively. After his military service, Marvin was employed at J. Neils Lumber Co. in Libby for three years prior to attending Kinman Business University in Spokane. He earned an associates degrees in business administration and accounting.
In 1951 he joined the staff at First State Bank in Libby, where he worked until 1956, when he moved his family to Juneau, Alaska. He was employed at B.M. Behrand’s Bank until 1960, at which time he accepted the challenge to start a new Bank of Anacortes in Anacortes, Washington.
Marvin served as president of that institution from 1960 until his retirement in 1982. Later he was called upon to start a bank in Clayton, Georgia, reorganize a bank in Yakima, Washington, and other short-term troubleshooting positions.
Marvin contributed to his community wherever he lived by working in civic organizations as well as those groups related to his profession. He was active in the Washington Bankers Association, serving terms as treasurer and president. He was vice president of the American Bankers Association. Marvin was a member of the National Leadership Conference and traveled to Washington, D.C., where he lobbied on behalf of the bank groups.
He served as president of the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce, president of the Hospital Medical Foundation Board, organizer and Commodore of Fidalgo Yacht Club, president of Rotary, life member of Nile Masonic Temple and VFW, and was appointed to Washington Governors Committees and task forces for Governors Dixie Lee Ray and Dan Evans. He was an avid golfer.
In 1993, Marvin and Lillian moved back to Libby, where their marriage began. They enjoyed several years of retirement and relaxation before Lillian’s health deteriorated and she passed away in 2006. In May 2008, Marvin married longtime family friend, Phyllis Eide Minde. They filled the next five years with world cruises and golf.
Preceding Marvin in death were his wife of 60 years, Lillian, and his son Dan.
He is survived by his wife Phyllis of Libby; son Tym of Seattle; daughter and son-in-law Pam and Beaman Cummings of West Boylston, Massachusetts; special niece Glenice Nass Clark; granddaughters Patience Mackey of San Tan Valley, Arizona, and Jessie Heroux of, Worcester, Massachusetts; and several nieces and nephews.
Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home & Crematory in Libby. Memorials may be mad to Christ Lutheran Church or to the donor’s choice.