Dr. Robert W. Mckey, Sr., M.D.

Robert W. McKey, Sr., M.D., of Metairie, Louisiana, passed away Thursday morning, August 6, 2009 at the age of 90. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Irma Lucille Adams McKey; two sons, Robert W. McKey, Jr. (Judith F. Villars); John C. McKey (Frances C. Doussan); and two daughters, Rahna L. McKey Hamilton and Sally K. McKey Dry (James R. Dry). He is also survived by his sister, Susan C. McKey Thomas of Valdosta; eleven grandchildren and five great grandchildren; he was predeceased by his two brothers, Dr. Earle Sinclair McKey, II and William Converse McKey of Valdosta.

Dr. McKey graduated form the Medical College of Georgia in 1951 and interned at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana from 1951 to 1952. He took his residencies in Pediatrics at Bakersfield, California and Miami, Florida. He returned to New Orleans in 1954 to set up medical practice.
After retirement from private practice at the age of 65, Dr. McKey continued working at the city of New Orleans' Katherine Benson Clinic until the age of 81. He also volunteered his time for many years at WRBH radio station reading for the blind. Dr. McKey was recognized by the Orleans Parish Medical Society and the City of New Orleans for his many dedicated years to the community in medicine. Dr. McKey's love of the theatre was his abiding passion, which is what drew him to New Orleans where he took the opportunity to appear in several productions at the Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre.

A combat veteran of WWII serving with the 75th Infantry Division, 290th Regiment, Dr. McKey received the Combat Infantry Badge and Bronze Star for his service, along with 3 Bronze Battle Service Stars for the Ardennes, Rhineland and central European theaters.

Dr. McKey was born in 1918 in Valdosta, Georgia to Earle S. McKey, Sr. and Susan K. Converse McKey. He graduated from Valdosta High School in 1935 and often spoke fondly of being a "Wildcat" football player. Early in his life, he worked as an announcer at the WBML radio station in Macon, Georgia, WDOD radio station in Chattanooga, Tennessee and WMJM in Cordele from 1940-1941. He attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts on a scholarship from 1938-1940 in New York, City. He also attended North Georgia Military College, Emory Junior College and Mercer College before going on to medical school after WWII.

Dr. McKey was a member of Munholland Methodist Church in Metairie for nearly 50 years.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Children's Hospital, 200 Henry Clay Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70118, 504-899-9511; to Southeast Louisiana War Veterans Home, 4080 W. Airline Reserve, LA 70084, 985-479-4080 or to WRBH Radio Station for the blind, 3660 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 504-899-1144.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. at Sunset Hill Cemetery, Valdosta. Condolences may be conveyed online at www.mclanefuneralservices.com. An online guestbook is also available at MeM.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home, 229-242-5544, is in charge of arrangements.




Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602