Donald Aubrey Mackey passed away peacefully on July 18, 2017, on a beautiful summer morning, the day of his 96th birthday. Don was born in Fresno, California on July 18, 1921 to Aubrey Elmer Mackey and Greta Garrett Mackey.
Don's childhood was spent in California, where due to his father's work transfers, he attended seven different schools before attending high school. Don was an only child, bright, curious and capable, and he learned to adapt quickly to new people and new locations. At age 17, Don and his family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, to a home near East High School, just a block and half away from the home of the beautiful seventeen year-old Marjorie Warshaw. It was in this East High School neighborhood that Don and Marge first met, fell in love, and began a lifetime of complete devotion and love for one another. At the University of Utah, Don joined the Sigma Chi fraternity, and gave Marge his pin to wear next to her Kappa key. This was during World War II and the bombing of Pearl Harbor, which affected everyone and changed the course of lives. Soon after, Don enlisted in the Navy, and before leaving overseas, Don and Marge became engaged.
Don was first stationed in Hawaii, then sent back to Missouri to become trained as an officer. He was then sent to the Harvard Business School to be prepared to become a Supply Officer for the Navy. After receiving his commission at the end of six months, Don was allowed to marry his sweetheart, Marge, and he returned home to Salt Lake City where they were married on June 10, 1944. Together, they returned to Harvard where Don graduated, and was sent back to Hawaii as a warehouse Supply Officer until the end of the war. After three years of service in the war, Don was thrilled to hurry home to his beloved Marge, and he arrived just hours after their first son, Randall, was born.
After returning home from the war, Don began working for his father-in-law, Maurice Warshaw, during the formative years of Grand Central Stores. Don and Marge combined their savings from the 39 months of the war, and purchased the initial inventory of drug items. This was the humble beginning of a drug store company that would continue to successfully grow and expand for the next forty years, to become 33 stores in six states, including Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Texas and New Mexico. In 1971, Grand Central went public on the American Stock Exchange, and in 1973, Don was elected President and Chief Executive Officer. Throughout the forty years of Grand Central's expansion, he often recalled with fondness, the pleasure of working with his father-in-law, Maurice Warshaw, and the many wonderful, talented people who worked in the company.
Following Don's retirement from Grand Central Stores, he continued his business endeavors with his son Russ. Working side by side for 27 years, they established Mackey Investment Company in Salt Lake City. Their real estate developments are found in various parts of Utah today.
From his early childhood, Don had a keen interest in airplanes and a desire to learn to fly. In 1960 Don pursued this lifelong dream and obtained his pilot's license. Later, Marge also enrolled in flight school so she could help co-pilot their twin-engine plane. This began a memorable and adventurous chapter in the lives of the Mackey family—frequent trips to Lake Powell and Coronado, as well as cross-country trips that included Washington D.C. and the New York World's Fair.
Don also served in the community in a number of capacities throughout his life. He was appointed Honorary Colonel of the Utah National Guard in 1987, and was the recipient of the Utah National Guard Minuteman Award. In 1987 he was appointed to be Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for the state of Utah, and received the Patrick Henry Award in 1998 for his service. From 1991-1998, Don was also appointed an Honorary Colonel in the Salt Lake City Police Department. From 1977-1990 Don was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Salt Lake Airport Authority and he also served as Chairman of the Board. Over a period of ten years, the Board expanded the Salt Lake Airport, including upper level boarding, extended runways and route expansion. He considered this appointment as one of the most exciting and rewarding opportunities in his years of community involvement and was awarded the Centerline Award for Distinguished service.
Although Don served extensively in the community during his lifetime, his greatest and most enduring legacy will always be his service and devotion to his family. There was no question as to the priority of his life—it was his love for his beloved companion, Margie, and his love for each family member. Children, grand children and great-grandchildren will forever cherish memories of countless family gatherings and holiday celebrations at their beautiful home. A family favorite was the annual Easter egg hunt that Daddy Don planned in advance with complex clues for the children to discover. We will remember lovely Thanksgiving dinners with Daddy Don carving the turkey, Christmas parties, 4th of July fireworks viewing from their front lawn, hikes through Zion National Park and gathering for annual family reunions at Jackson Hole.
Don has been our great leader, our teacher and mentor, a man of integrity and nobility, an inspiration and a source of strength to each family member. We love you, Daddy Don.
Don is again reunited with his sweetheart, Marge, who passed away January 23, 2016, married 71 years. Don is survived by five children: Randall Aubrey Mackey (Margaret), Corinne Cannon (George), Cynthia Eldredge (Brent), Shauna Angerbauer and Russ Mackey (Jill), all of Salt Lake City; 25 grandchildren and 49 great-grandchildren. The family wishes to express deep appreciation to Don's daughter, Shauna, who provided attentive, loving care to Don for over the past four years.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 22, 2017, at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South). Friends may call at a viewing prior to the services from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Interment at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery.
