Obituary of John-N. McVay

<!-- FH = Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home -->John N. McVayJohn Noyes McVay, Lt. Col (Ret.) Air Force, 93 years old, was called home on September 2, 2011 to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was born February, 1918, in Charleston, West Virginia. He grew up there with his family until they moved in 1935 to Alliance, Ohio, where he graduated from Alliance High School.John then attended and graduated from Ohio State University in 1939, with a BS in Science Education.He also lettered in varsity baseball. He returned to Alliance to teach and coach for two years .In July 1941, John enlisted in the Army Air Corp Pilot Training program and earned his wings.Ready when the U.S. entered WWII, he flew the famous B-26 Marauder "Lady Halitosis" on 22 missions in enemy territory, through all types of fighting, bombing and patrolling in the early North African Campaign. In 1943, Capt. McVay and his crew were ordered back to the U.S. where their testimony and influence helped pave the way in making the B-26 Marauder a fighting airplane, as well as a bomber.John and the "Lady" crew even appeared before the Truman Committee. During his active service he met and married Dorothy Ann Kelly of Tampa, Florida. John then graduated from the Army Command and Staff School in Leavenworth, Kansas, and the Army Air Force Staff Course in Washington, D.C. He was then honored to be invited back to the prestigious Command and General Staff School as an Instructor because he had seen active service.He and Dorothy were stationed at Fort Leavenworth from 1944-1945, and John retired from active service when WWII ended but remained in the Air Force Reserve, retiring a Lt. Col. in 1961.John and Dorothy returned to Alliance, Ohio, where he first managed, and later bought a ladies' clothing store, The J.N. McVay Co. on Main Street.The Lord blessed him with two daughters, a thriving business for 22 years, and a deeper love for Jesus, his Savior. For many years he played in community baseball leagues, and helped to found and coach in the "Hot Stove" league for boys' baseball (a forerunner of "Little League").In 1967, John was called to Christian ministry.He sold his business and moved his family to Cape May, New Jersey, as Athletic Director and coach at Shelton College, a Christian liberal arts college. Despite being unfamiliar with soccer, he became a beloved soccer coach, leading the team to a conference championship within three years. Many of his former students and players have stayed in touch with him to this date.In 1973, John and Dorothy moved to Tallahassee, Florida, to work at North Florida Christian School.John taught and returned to coaching the sport he loved&#8212;baseball&#8212;and also golf. He became Athletic Director and helped all the NFC sports programs to develop. He was a terrific witness for Christ as he molded the students' lives. They loved and respected Coach McVay. Everyone on campus knew when "Coach" arrived at school, for he rode a "moped" to work for several years in the late '70's.After retiring from education in 1980, John enjoyed working in maintenance and housekeeping at Thomasville Road Baptist Church because he could take Thursday off to play golf.He retired completely in 1988, and spent many days playing golf at Jake Gaither and Hilaman golf courses until a stroke in 2005. John, or Uncle Noyes, as he was known to some of his family, was a loving, friendly Christian man who never met a stranger. As the Lord says, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."John was predeceased by his loving wife, Dorothy, his parents, Clark M. and Elizabeth S. McVay; also his two brothers, Clark T. and David S. McVay. Surviving relatives are daughters Jennifer M. and Jacqueline N. McVay of Tallahassee; his nieces in Ohio, Nancy Barlow, Helen Smith (Paul), Christine McVay, and Margaret M. Thompson (Clark); and his Tallahassee nieces, Virginia Ann Satterfield, Mary Catherine Cooper; and nephews Howard Pippen (Kathy) of Ocean Side, CA, and Billy Kelly (Mary Catherine) of Richmond, VA; also brother-in-law Amos W. Kelly,Jr.of N. Redington Beach, FL, and his close friend and sister-in-law, Elvy M. Pippen, of Tallahassee. The family expresses their sincere thanks to John's loving caregivers: Cheryl Patterson, Karen Postell, Mae Louise Pompey, and Patricia Smith .In lieu of flowers, please contribute in his name to North Florida Christian School, 3000 N. Meridian Road, Tallahassee, FL 32312, or the Lighthouse Children's Home, 7771 Mahan Dr. Tallahassee, FL32309.Visitation will be held on Tuesday (Sept.6,2011) at Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 700 Timberlane Road (850) 893-4177.Funeral Services will be on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. from Culley's MeadowWood Chapel on Timberlane Road with interment following at MeadowWood Memorial Park.