James Raymond “Mick” McVey, 98, died February 23, 2022, in Lindsborg,
Kansas. He was born May 14, 1923, to James Oliver and Anna Elizabeth
(Raymond) McVey, on the family farm at the north edge of Hill City. He
grew up with his sisters: Pat, Mary Doris and Helen. He attended grade
school and high school in Hill City, graduating in 1941.
Following graduation, he began his college career at Fort Hays
College, joining the United States Army, November 19, 1942. Once at Camp
Roler near Sacramento, California, he was trained as a high-speed radio
operator. This job required the operators to communicate by sending and
receiving five letter code groups. Mick was attached to GHQ, which was
General McArthur’s Headquarters, to monitor communications of airplanes,
ships, companies of Army and Marines.
Stationed in the Pacific, Mick was involved in the radio operations
at Milne Bay, New Guinea, near Australia, and then north to Hollandia,
New Guinea for several months. His 60th Battalion then participated in
the landing on Samoa, then on to Luzon where he was stationed until the
Japanese surrendered. Mick was awarded the Bronze Star. He returned to
the United States where he was discharged, January, 1946.
Mick returned to his studies at Fort Hays and graduated with a
Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, and a Master’s Degree in Education.
During his college years, he also renewed his pilot’s license.
Mick met Mary Anne Lewis at a dance. This chance meeting led to 65
years together. The two of them taught school in communities in western
Kansas for the next nine years. Wanting to settle in one place and
raise a family, they built a home in Hill City. They owned and operated
Lewis Oil Stations in Hill City and Palco and later bought two more in
Damar and Plainville. The couple adopted two children, Betty and Mike.
As the children grew up they spent leisurely days at the Webster lake
cabin with boating and swimming, and of course many gun shows. After the
children were grown, Mick and Mary Anne traveled to Mexico, the
Bahamas, Hawaii, Spain and Italy.
Having a deep love for God and a strong foundation of faith, Mick
and Mary Anne were supporting members of the Presbyterian Church and
attending every Sunday.
Preceding Mick in death were his parents; his wife, Mary Anne; his
son, Mike McVey and two sisters: Mary Doris and Helen. Leaving to mourn
his passing are his sister Pat McVey; daughter, Betty Humphrey, of
Pagosa Springs, Colorado; grandchildren: Whitney (Clint) Spitler, of
Lindsborg, Javil (Lindsey) Hansen of Salina, Kiaya (Jeremiah) Flaugh,
and Chanlor (Brian) Ray, all of Pagosa Springs, Colorado; six great
grandchildren and one step-great grandchild.
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