Bruce Alexander McKannay

Bruce Alexander McKannay passed peacefully from this life on April 21, 2024, in Arroyo Grande, California at the age of 81 after a long battle with skin cancer. He died as he lived surrounded by family. He joins his Savior, Jesus Christ in heaven.

Bruce was born in San Francisco, California to Eugene McKannay and Jayne Matheson McKannay. Raised in Palo Alto Bruce enjoyed time in nature all over the West, especially at the family retreat in Morgan Hill and Huntington Lake where he swam to earn one of many scout badges. He lettered in swimming at E. P. Cubberly High School, in Palo Alto, CA where he graduated in 1961.

After enlisting in the US Marine Corps he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V” Device for meritorious service in the Vietnam War; serving with the Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division from 24 May 1965 to 2 October 1966.

He began his service as a basic radio operator and eventually rose to Field Radio Supervisor/Assistant Radio Chief. He earned numerous honor graduate and instructor awards.

Additional awards included the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Meritorious Mast.
Forever a proud Marine, he was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. Bruce was privileged to see his son rise to the rank of Colonel in the US Army where he currently serves along with his son, an Army Specialist, continuing the family tradition of military service.

Bruce loved the mountains and went to work in Mt Hood Oregon as a butcher and store manager. There he met his lifelong love, Dixie Duggan, they married at the historic Timberline Lodge and enjoyed 56 years together until his death. They also worked together at Lake of the Woods near Crater Lake Oregon and in later years at San Luis Obispo county wineries.

A lifelong learner he studied at San Francisco State, Mt Hood Community College, and College of the Desert where he took night classes with his teen daughter. A voracious reader he enjoyed reading to his children and grandchildren instilling that love in them as well. He will be remembered for his ready smile and generous hospitality.

Bruce is preceded in death by his brother Frank and survived by his wife Dixie McKannay, his daughter Shannon Kessler, her husband James, his son Colonel Will Bruce McKannay, his wife Deidre, and four adult grandchildren, sister Suzanne Andersen, brother Ken McKannay, and sister-in-law Cheryl McKannay.

Memorial donations may be made to Friends of the Five Cities Fire Authority at http://friendsof5citiesfire.org/

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