George J. Mackey, of Checotah, passed away at his home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at the age of 72. George was born on Friday, September 7, 1945 to William and Georgia Mackey in McAlester Ok. He was raised in the Krebs area where he and John Cook were more brothers than cousins. On Monday, January 28, 1963 he entered the United States Air Force. He served his country with honor for the next three years. During his service he earned the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, The Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, The National Defense Service Medal and The Vietnam Service Medal. On Friday, September 30, 1966 he was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force. After leaving the military he returned to Oklahoma and began a career in construction. He owned his own construction management company called “The Mackey Corporation”. During retirement his time was not spent idle. He filled his life with his family, whom he loved very much, with travel, fishing, gardening, old English sitcoms and working on his home. Any one that spoke with George found out that he had a very special way with words. His sense of humor was one of his great traits and no one was immune to his friendly barbs. Almost everyone left a conversation with him smiling so much their cheeks hurt. He believed that what you put out into this world you get back tenfold. He was not a materialistic man. He believed in honor, respect, God and family. George, above all else, was a husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and in that order. George was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Kelli Mackey Thursday, July 7, 2016 and his brother, William Mackey and his fur baby, Romeo. He was deeply loved by his 21 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and numerous extended family members and a lifetime of friends. Church service will be held Dec. 4 at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Checotah, OK. Graveside service will be held Dec. 4 at 1:00 p.m. at Ft. Gibson National Cemetery.