K. Gunn McKay

Koln Gunn McKay (February 23, 1925 – October 6, 2000) was an American politician who represented the state of Utah. He served from January 3, 1971 to January 3, 1981, beginning in the ninety-second Congress and in four succeeding congresses.

Biography McKay was born in Ogden, Weber County, Utah. He was raised as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). His brother Monroe G. McKay would become a judge of the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in 1977, and he was a cousin of David O. McKay, the LDS Church president from 1951 to 1970.

McKay served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II, and was later an LDS missionary in England. Afterward, he worked as a farmer, businessman and high school history teacher. Having attended the Weber County public schools, McKay studied at Weber State College in Ogden and Utah State University in Logan, graduating in education in 1962.

McKay married Donna Biesinger in 1950 and they had ten children.

Church service An active leader in the LDS Church, McKay served as president of the Ogden Stake, between 1967 and 1970. He also served as president of the Edinburgh Scotland Mission of the LDS Church between 1981 and 1984. He and his wife later served a two-year mission to Kenya and another two-year mission to Malaysia. While in Pakistan on yet another mission, McKay returned home early due to illness.

Death McKay died in Huntsville, Utah at the age of 75, from complications of mesothelioma.