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Funeral Services Held April 29 for Longtime Washington Horseman Michael Shannon McKay
Michael Shannon McKay bred and raised Quarter Horses for 43 years.

© Courtesy Stevens Funeral Chapel
Funeral Services Held April 29 for Longtime Washington Horseman Michael Shannon McKay

OTHELLO, WA—MAY 7, 2017—Funeral services were held Saturday, April 29th for Michael Shannon McKay of Othello. He passed away April 22 surrounded by his wife and children.

Shannon was born April 8, 1949, in Prosser, Washington to Edgar and Betty (McCullough) McKay. He was raised in Othello, a community that he loved dearly and served throughout his life.

Shannon was a 1967 graduate of Othello High School. On October 18, 1969, Shannon married the love of his life, Joleen Smasne. Blessed with three children, his family was the center of his life, and he found great pleasure in his grandchildren.

Shannon started farming in the Columbia Basin just out of high school. He expanded his passion for agriculture as an agri-businessman in 1984 establishing Olympic Produce followed by Olympic Potato in 1993. Branching out of agriculture, Shannon and Joleen re-established R.F. McDougal’s in Richland, Washington in 1998.

Shannon served as a Othello school board member for 12 years. He gave of his time as a city council member for two years before becoming Mayor in 2004. During his time as Mayor, he was instrumental in adopting Wulensi, Ghana, as Othello’s Sister City.

To honor Shannon, an experimental farm to feed the people of this area will be named "Shannon McKay Farm". The creation of this farm and the effort to make it a reality for the people of Wulensi was of great importance to him. Shannon was recognized for his service in 2011 as Othello’s Citizen of the Year.

Shannon bred and raised Quarter Horses for over 43 years. His love of horses came from his dad and he in turn shared this passion with his son.

Shannon is survived by his wife of 47 years, Joleen; daughter Stacy Aune (Leonard) of LaCrosse; son Michael McKay (Paula) of Othello; daughter Sara Gardner (Kane) of Pasco; grandchildren, Austen Montgomery; Ashtyn, Gunnar, Abree and Gage Aune; Rylee and Myles McKay; Everly and Kamryn Gardner; his father Edgar McKay; his sister Tamara Sackett; nephew Sean Sackett as well as numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.