Homer Mackey

After a long life filled with friends, family and a love of the outdoors, Homer Ulysses Mackey passed away December 11, 2008 in Corvallis, Oregon. He was 88 years old. The fourth of six children of Alma and Jacob Mackey, Homer was born on January 19, 1920 in Astoria, Oregon. He attended school in Astoria, and then worked various jobs including farming, logging and working at Boeing. In 1942, Homer enlisted in the Army and was stationed in India with the Signal Corps. Even though he was diagnosed with perforated eardrums and originally turned down by the Army, he got special permission to join the Signal Corps and spent 26 months working on airbases in India. During his time in India, he was assigned to a job converting a prison into a base for American soldiers. When he arrived at the prison near Calcutta, the sole prisoner remaining was Mahatma Gandhi. After the war, he enrolled at Oregon State College and earned a degree in Agriculture. At Oregon State, Homer met Andrea Johnson while dancing a Finnish dance at a social event. At the time, Andrea was a professor of Food & Nutrition at Oregon State. They eventually married, and in 1957 purchased a farm in South Corvallis where they enjoyed hosting picnics and New Year’s eve parties for their friends and colleagues. They also traveled extensively for her job, living in Venezuela for several years. Homer had a great love of outdoor activities. His favorite pastimes were salmon and trout fishing, and clam-digging. He joined family members every fall to elk hunt in Astoria, and passed his love of the outdoors to his nieces and nephews. Though he had no kids of his own, he enjoyed spending time outdoors with his nieces and nephews and helped each of them find their way in the world. He is survived by sisters Ann Fausett and Gertrude Nudell of Astoria, and Irene Lewis of California; nieces & nephews Lowell Fausett of Corvallis, Kirk Fausett of Astoria, Gary Fausett of Massachusetts, Kim Hansen of Colorado, David Nudell of Nova Scotia, Hugh and Holly Mackey, and Cheri, Debbie, and Cindy Lewis of California. He was preceded in death by his wife, Andrea, his parents, and brothers Henry and Hugo Mackey. A gathering to celebrate Homer’s life will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2009 at McHenry Funeral Home at 1:00 PM. Memorial donations may be made to Oregon State University School of Crop & Soil Sciences or the School of Health & Human Sciences in care of McHenry Funeral Home, 206 N.W. Fifth St., Corvallis, OR, 97330.

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Homer Mackey

January 19, 1920 - December 11, 2008