John Harmon “Jack” McVay, 97, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Monday (September 2, 2013) at Boone Hospital in Columbia, Missouri.

The son of Oliver Perry and Kathryn Amibel (Harmon) McVay, he was born March 29, 1916 in Kirksville, Missouri. On September 4, 1940 in Kirksville, Missouri, Jack was united in marriage to Geneva Maxine Jones who preceded him in death on August 29, 1984.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Frances Fortney; five brothers, Robert, Perry, Merl, Leo and one in infancy, his son-in-law, Gilbert Campbell and one great-grandson, Connor McVay.

Jack is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, John and Jeanette McVay of Kansas City, MO; one daughter, Mary “Kie” Campbell of Kirksville, MO; eight grandchildren, Shelley Steele and husband Jeff, Johnna McVay, Jacqui Grossjung and husband Eric, Jason McVay and wife Jennifer, Jaime Witt and husband Jeff, Clinton Campbell and wife Sara, Kathy Baird and husband Ed and Tina Campbell; fifteen great-grandchildren; three great great-grandchildren, two sisters-in-law, Lois Jones of Kirksville, MO and Barbara (McVay) Voorhees of Chicago, IL., and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jack lived most of his life in Adair County and received his education in the rural country schools and Kirksville public schools. He worked on a farm for Willie Niece for several years before purchasing a farm on Hog Creek. From 1950 to 1961, Jack owned and operated the Pure Air Country Store. He then moved to Kirksville, and was employed for Montgomery Wards until purchasing Davis-Cleaver Feed Store that he operated as McVay Feed Store until retiring in 1981.

Jack enjoyed wood working, making clocks and crossword puzzles. His true enjoyment in life was spending time with his grandchildren.

He was a member of Kirksville Masonic Lodge #366 AF&AM and of the Kirksville Shrine Club.

Public visitation will be held Thursday (September 5, 2013) from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. with Masonic Service at 7:30 p.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday (September 6, 2013) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, with Pastor Larry Gibson officiating. Interment will follow the service at Park View Memorial Gardens in Kirksville.

Pallbearers will be Clinton Campbell, Jason McVay, Carroll Harden, Paul Detweiler, Dale Jones and Dave Olmstead. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, Harold Harden and Jim Keim.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Jack McVay may be made to the Shriner’s Children Hospital. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.