Gleason McKamey

Gleason “Mac” Woodrow McKamey, 85 passed away peacefully Oct. 30, 2024 surrounded by his family. A beloved father, husband, grandfather, brother and friend, Mac spent his life guided by his deep faith and will be remembered for his devotion to God and to his family.
Mac was born in Oliver Springs, TN to Charlie and Inez McKamey. He learned the value of hard work early, tasked with never ending farm duties, school and sports.
But Mac always saw a life beyond a little Tennessee farming community, so when he graduated from Oliver Springs High School in 1957, he enlisted in the Air Force. Over his 20-year career he was stationed in Goose Bay Labrador, Nova Scotia, Izmir, Turkey, Zaragoza, Spain and a host of bases all over the U.S. He retired in Panama City, FL in 1976, earning the rank of Senior Master Sergeant.
Mac met his beloved wife, Shirley Ann Pritchard when she attended one of his Sunday school classes near Eglin AFP in Niceville, FL. The two were married in Ft. Walton, FL in 1960 and spent fifty-seven years together until Shirley’s passing in 2017.
The two had three sons, Eric, Kevin and Shannon, who Mac would often speak about with admiration.
Feeling the deep pull of his faith, Mac changed careers in midlife, returning to school to study the ministry. He graduated with a Doctorate in Theology, an accomplishment he, the son of parents who never went to college, was very proud of.
Mac spent the latter part of his life as a pastor and counselor, lending his passion for and his devotion to God to congregations from Tennessee to Florida.
Aside from the church and his family, Mac was a devoted Tennessee Volunteers and Tampa Bay Rays fan and would relish a chance to sit, munch peanuts and watch a game, preferably with one of his sons if they were visiting. He was also a master at the game of Cribbage, whose skills at the game have been passed to other McKamey generations.
After the loss of Shirley, Mac found love again and married Irene Robison in 2018. The two made a home for themselves in Largo, Florida, where Mac relished visits from his grandchildren.
All his life, Mac sought knowledge. Rooted in his faith, he remained curious about other people and beliefs and appreciated any opportunity to interface with someone.
Mac is survived by his wife Irene; sons Eric McKamey (Tammy) of Aiken, SC; Kevin McKamey (Kathy) of Largo, FL; Shannon McKamey (Lillia) of Greenville, SC; and grandchildren Erica McKamey, Madison McKamey, Peyton McKamey, Reece McKamey, Ella Penso-McKamey and Miles Penso-McKamey.
A service will be held at Bay Pines National Cemetery on Monday, Nov. 18 at 1:30 PM located at 10000 Bay Pines Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33708. Before the service, a welcoming reception will be held at Veterans Funeral Care located at 830 N. Belcher Rd., Clearwater, FL 33765. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mac’s honor to one of the following:

Bay Pines VA Healthcare System (135)
P.O. Box 5005
10000 Bay Pines Boulevard
Bay Pines, FL 33744

Indian Rocks Church
12685 Ulmerton Rd
Largo, FL 33774