Dannye Ryeef McKaig

Dannye Ryeef McKaig was born December 13, 1942 in Blackwell, OK. His parents are John and Edna McKaig. Dannye was a bonus baby, his brother Carl was 18 and serving in the South Pacific during WW II. His brother Max, was 13 and living at the family home. After returning from the Navy and going home, Carl asked his Mother who is that kid? She replied “well that’s your baby brother”! Around the age of 8, the family moved to Shawnee. Dannye attended Shawnee public schools, graduating with the SHS class of 1960. He attended OSU, for a short time. He decided he wasn’t ready for college, or OSU wasn’t ready for him. He went to work with John in the oilfields as a cable tool dresser. He went on a blind date (although he’d known her since grade school) and immediately fell in love with that gorgeous girl, AKA, Janice Boggs. After a six-week courtship, they married on October 19, 1962. He was welcomed into the rowdy Boggs/Hudspeth clan with open arms. For the first time he met brothers, a sister, nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, and more cousins than he could count. And bonus grandparents, Mama and Papa Hudspeth. Jimmy, Ronald and Butch became his chosen brothers, and he loved them dearly. Janice wasn’t happy with his oil field career, for one thing, he was away until the well was completed. Janice had never ever seen anyone come home from work that dirty, covered from hard hat to toe with oil grime and mud. She wasn’t exactly familiar with doing laundry for herself, much less a man that dirty. Tinker Field took up much too much of her time, and she wasn’t that good at homemaking to begin with! Of course, in that era, men didn’t help out with house chores, even if the wife had a career. Different rules were implemented into their young marriage. The husband can help with house chores. She encouraged more education for a different skill set, and Dannye enrolled at OSU tech in Okmulgee. A baby girl, Stacy, joined the McKaig’s in 1963. Dannye and Stacy became best friends and he taught her many things. Dannye was employed by Hardesty’s plumbing and heat in Shawnee. A second daughter, Andrea, joined the family in 1968. These two daughters were the light of his life. It was like “he wanted daughters his whole life”. He taught his girls how to mow a lawn, change a tire and many other life skills. He tried to teach them how to jump off a roof, tuck and roll ability like he could. That didn’t go so well. Dad jumped first, Andrea next, both successful landings. Stacy jumped and broke her leg. They very considerately waited on Mom to return from TG&Y to decide what the next step should be. Mom returned and was not happy, but wisely suggested the family go to the emergency room for treatment. All throughout the child rearing stage, Dannye and Janice maintained friendships with their friends from high school. The Ray and Vicki Nowlin family, Jim and Lavada Coffman and Lynn and Jean Alldredge family. Going on family trips, picnics, boats and camping. What experiences they had. Dannye was an excellent water ski instructor. He had a lot of patience as an instructor, but when you turn 13 and choose to ski behind Dannye’s boat, do so at your own peril. Tubing behind a boat was one of his personal favorites. Water skiing with a child holding on to your back, another fun time. David Friend was brought into the friendship circle, and he fit quite nicely as well. After working at Hardesty’s in Shawnee, the McKaig’s moved to OKC in 1972 where Dannye was employed by Johnson Controls, and rapidly advanced in his career. Eventually becoming a project manager and working in the office. He and two Johnson Controls employees branched out to establish a company named Automated Building Systems in the early 1980’s. The new formed company started in Alan’s apartment. It took many long, hard hours and personal sacrifice to make a success, but successful it was. His goal was to retire at the age of 60, and he was able to do so. When he retired, ABS employed 60 people and had a second office in Tulsa. Retirement opened up new chapters for Dannye and Janice. They bought a home at Lake Eufaula, boat, built a four stall boat dock, Kawasaki mule, jet skis and all the equipment needed to entertain family and friends. What a grand time they had! Bobo and Granny AKA Dannye and Janice, became even more perfect grandparents. The only thing better than kids, grandkids! Vacationing with the grands always included a little history and museums, along with amusement parks, beaches, national parks, etc. They welcomed a new circle of friends at the lake, the Beaver Baggers. Cruising with them and having raucous parties. The McKaig’s visited Cousin Arb and Nyla in the White Mountains of AZ. Eventually buying a vacation home there in a 55+ community. Becoming members of Arb’s Pack, brought in bonus friends. After 12 fun years, it was time to sell in 2021. Dannye’s Parkinson’s was beginning to take its toll. Life changes, and you have to change with it. That was our mantra after the Parkinson’s diagnosis. Dannye was able to spend his last days at home, surrounded by his loved ones. One of his last comments to Janice, “It’s been a good ride”. Dannye made his last journey Oct 15, 2022. A life well lived and loved. Dannye is survived by his wife of 60 years, Janice. Daughters Stacy Chase and husband Eric, Andrea Appleman and husband Boomer. Grandson Ross Williamson and wife Aubrey, granddaughter Erica Caine and hubby Martin, grandson Vaughn Appleman. Two bonus great grands from Ross, Sofia and John Ross Williamson, sister-in-law Alice McKaig, twin nieces Mary and Marsha McKaig, brother-in-law Ronald and Cathy Boggs, sister-in-law Cindi Boggs, and much loved nieces and nephews. A host of friends who are like family. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Oct 29th, 10:30 at Walker Funeral Chapel. After the memorial, family and friends are invited to lunch at the Pott. County Museum, 614 E. Main, behind the Santa Fe Depot. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to the Parkinson’s foundation, 720 W. Wilshire Blvd, Suite 109, OKC 73116-7737