Brent Grey MacKay

“I’m Fine!"

Brent MacKay, 86, passed away on January 16th, 2024 in Midvale, Utah.

Born in 1937 To Glena Blair and Johannes Lambertus MacKay.  Brent spent his formative years in Sandy, UT. and graduated from Jordan High School in 1955.  Following High School he graduated from the Technical Engineering Institute of Specialized Drafting and Design.  He married Donna Elmore.  They had 3 children Wendy, Mike, and Patti.  And later divorced.

He began his career as a young man collecting chewed gum on his bedpost and selling it to his beloved cousins.  He later expanded his interests to include electrical engineering and started his career with “Old-Man-Upright” as an Electrical Design Engineer.  Later on, while working at Global Engineering, he accepted a position to work on the Sprint and Spartan Missile system in Kwajalein, Marshall Islands South Pacific. 

While on Kwaj, he became interested in Scuba Diving, Karate, Community Theater, Scouting, Photography, and a young switch-board operator at the University of Utah named Joy Mitchell.  Joy unwittingly answered a personal ad from “Mike Barnett”, nee Brent MacKay, in the University Chronical.   

Through hundreds of letters, cards, and tapes (he somehow found time to write) Brent wooed and married his sweetheart, and eternal companion in the Salt Lake City Temple on August 2, 1971.  They chose Midvale to raise their combined family.  Brent and Joy had 5 babies (4 surviving).  In their 53 years of earthly marriage they enjoyed many adventures with their family boating, waterskiing, camping, and snowmobiling.  They look forward to many more adventures in their upcoming eternity.

In 1971 Brent partnered with Jerry Harvey and launched Key Engineering.  Brent worked side by side with some of the top talent in Utah’s Engineering and Construction field.  Being a partner at Key allowed him to employ his children and bestow the merits of hard work on them – free of charge.  Built with time and efforts of talented individuals, Key Engineering became the largest engineering firm in Salt Lake. He made lifelong friends in the industry, and had a hand in growing Salt Lake through the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.  Key Engineering became the jumping off point for engineering, and lighting careers across the valley.

Brent, an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, has served as Elder’s Quorum President, President of the Stake 70’s, a member of the bishopric, Stake High Council, and scoutmaster.  He was a dedicated Home Teacher and even though he pretended to be ornery, he relished the opportunity to wax his mustache and play the villain with a booming voice in all ward productions.

Brent and Joy served many missions together.  The Canada, Halifax mission in Newfoundland, the Chile, Osorno mission, and 14 years at The Church Headquarters Mission at the Family History Library .

Preceded in death by parents, infant son, brother – Rock Oakeson, daughter -Patti Nicholes, grandsons -Christopher and Tyler Nicholes and son-in law, Cole Dalton

Survived by Spouse - Joy MacKay; Children – Wendy Dalton, Mike (Mary), Duane (Andrea), Heather (Gary Averett), Zak (Dulce), Quinn (Fanny); Brother – Lynn (Shanna)  14 Grandkids, 10 greatgrandchildren and many loving cousins and friends. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Missionary fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints.

Funeral Services Saturday, January 27th at Midvale Stake Center, 8171 So. Jackson, 12:00 pm, with a viewing starting at 11:00 am.