David Stephen Mackey, 66 of Edina, Missouri, passed away, Saturday, September 3, 2011, at the Audrain Medical Center in Mexico, Missouri after suffering injuries from a farming accident on his farm northeast of Edina, Missouri earlier in the day.
David Stephen Mackey, son of the late Stephen J. and Jeane R. (Cox) Mackey was born on April 17, 1945 in Hamilton, Missouri. At a young age, David moved with his family to Bethany, Missouri where he attended elementary through high school. In the fall of 1963, he enrolled in college at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri, majoring in agriculture. While attending college, he was instrumental in starting the first agriculture club. He participated in many livestock judging contests throughout the state. David married his high school sweetheart, Margaret R. Mock on January 23, 1965 at New Hampton, Missouri.
After college, David worked for the United States Department of Agriculture as a Soil and District Conservationist. Appointments included DeKalb County, Worth County, and Knox County. Various outdoor magazines featured articles on David’s impact on the habitat of Knox County. Through his work and his hunting interests he encouraged many local farmers to include wildlife habitat in their farming plans. After 34 years of service, in 2000, David retired to further pursue his other interests of hunting, fishing, farming and spending time with his grandchildren.
Dave was an active member of the community. He was involved in Quail Forever and a founding member of the Knox County Rotary Club. He was a member of the Edina United Methodist Church where he served on various committees and as a trustee for many years. As an avid hunter and fisherman, Dave traveled with his hunting friends to Canada to hunt bear, the Blue Ridge Mountains to hunt wild boar, and to Wisconsin for salmon fishing. He also went with a local fishing gang to South Missouri to trout fish for many years, but his favorite places to fish were his own farm ponds and lakes. He often said he could catch more fish on his own place than anywhere else.
Survivors include his wife Margaret of the home and four children: Beth (Mackey) Schrage and her husband Tim of Edina, Missouri, Amy (Mackey) Kurth and her husband Eric of Nixa, Missouri, D. Todd Mackey and his wife Sally of Columbia, Missouri, and Bobbi Jo Mackey of the home, a brother, Phillip Mackey and his wife Sue of Jackson, Wisconsin, a neice, Jill Peterson and her husband John of Richfield, Wisconsin, along with several great nieces and nephews. David was hunting companion, fishing guide, farming partner, and story teller to his 9 grandchildren. More than anything, he enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow and loved telling stories about their many adventures together. He enjoyed spending time with his coffee gang keeping many debates alive. His grandchildren include, Brian, Brenna and Brandon Schrage, Mackenzie, Austin, and Madison Kurth, and Luke, Lindsey and Liam Mackey. David was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather and will be truly missed.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 7, 2011, at the Edina United Methodist Church in Edina, Missouri.
Visitation will be after 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 6, 2011, with the family greeting friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Doss Funeral Home in Edina, Missouri.
Burial will be in the Linville Cemetery in Edina, Missouri.
Pastor Sam Smith will officiate and music will be provided by Carol Hayes, Nancy Reardon and Tracy Mallett. Casket Bearers will be Deacon Jones, Scott Jansen, Travis Hamlin, Sam Stoner, Delbert Stoner, Phil Hopkins and Steve Grun. Honorary Bearers will be Ray Prebe, Red Callahan, Kenny Jansen, Spence Turner, Joel Vance, Bob Shahan, Jack Vaughn, Lyle Otte, Wayne Corley, Don Kutcher, Albert Dye, Robert Hunolt and Byron Ewalt.
An expression of sympathy in memory of David Mackey may be left to the Edina United Methodist Church. A memorial may be left at or mailed to the Doss Funeral Home 208 N. 4th Street, Edina, Missouri 63537.
