McKay Marler

McKay Marler, "The Fox Trot King," is dancing with his Sweetheart once again. McKay passed away Saturday, March 14, at the age of 91 in Logan, 19 months after losing his beloved Blanche. McKay was born August 14, 1917, in Lewiston, Utah, the eighth and youngest child of Loron William and Florence Andersen Marler. Growing up on the family farm, he took to farming naturally and spent his life working the soil and running a dairy. He added to the family income by working at Thiokol, now ATK Launch Systems, for 13 years. McKay met Blanche Fifield from Weston, Idaho, at a weekly dance in Preston in 1934. They danced together through their high-school years and married on February 11, 1938, in the Logan LDS Temple. McKay worked with his father on the farm and eventually took it over. He loved the land and the land loved him. His favorite part of the farming process was the spring planting. His excitement and anticipation to begin the new season frequently had him working the ground prematurely; in fact, his family fondly jokes that "The first thing Dad planted each year was the tractor." He seemed to know intuitively which crops were best to plant each year. He experienced only one crop failure in all his years of farming, and that was due to an unusually late spring frost. McKay's love of farming could be exceeded only by his love for his family and for his Heavenly Father. A man of faith and moral righteousness, he taught his four sons and one daughter principles of honesty, hard work, and religion. McKay's children grew up knowing his word was his bond: he kept his word and that was that. McKay always said, "A good business deal needs to be good for both sides. Just because you have something someone needs doesn't mean you should charge an unfair high price." The milking, plowing, planting, and irrigating were accomplished side-by-side, father and sons, sunrise to sunset. As active members of the LDS Church, McKay and Blanche took the responsibility of teaching their children the gospel. McKay has served faithfully in callings in the MIA, Sunday School, Seventies, and on the Stake High Council. Yes, the advancing years had furrowed his brow, but McKay still relished things like driving around looking at farmland, chewing on a toothpick, whistling, listening to music, watching the news and Lawrence Welk and BYU Devotionals. He liked going to McDonald's for a cheeseburger, and he always paid for everybody's meal. His greatest joy continued to be his family for whom he liked to make up creative names. Grandpa Kay, we love you. We will miss you. We look forward to the day we meet again. McKay was preceded in death by Blanche, his wife of 69 years; his parents; his brothers and sisters: Zora, Zetta, Loron Ariel, Sylvan William, LulaVe, Melpha, and Allen James; one granddaughter Jozette Marler Campbell; and two great-grandchildren Joseph Marler and Christine Marler. He is survived by four sons: Loron W. Cathy of Ogden, Utah; Jeryl M. Karen of Ogden, Utah; Wayne F. Melaine of Franklin, Idaho; Clair A. JoAnn of Lewiston, Utah; one daughter Kris Nolan Olsen of Fruit Heights, Utah; 24 grandchildren; and 51 great-grandchildren. We truly appreciate all the friends, neighbors, ward members, and caregivers who made it possible for McKay to spend so many of the last 19 months right in his home in Lewiston. And thanks, as well, to Dr. Duke and the skilled professionals at Sunshine Terrace Rehabilitation Center where McKay spent his last few weeks. Funeral services will be held at Nelson Funeral Home, 162 East 400 North in Logan, at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, with Bishop Don Baldwin conducting. Friends may call between 12:00 and 1:30 p.m. prior to the funeral. Interment will be in the Lewiston City Cemetery. Condolences may be extended to the family online at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com .