Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

November 24, 2018

Charlotte- Surrounded by his family and enveloped in the warm light of his home Peter McKay died peacefully on Saturday night November 24, 2018 of progressive lung failure.   Dr. Hamilton W. McKay Jr, known from childhood as Peter, was a lifelong Charlottean, deeply committed to his church, the art and science of medicine, the community and to his large extended family. 

He founded and led Carolina Asthma and Allergy Clinic, which grew to become the premiere asthma and allergy practice in the region.  At the same time, he served as a director of Republic Bank, which he helped merge with Central Carolina Bank where he also served as a director.

Born and raised in Charlotte, his family roots were in Sumpter County, York and Rock Hill, SC stretching back to the early 18th century.  During World War II he entered Culver Military Academy, graduating in 1947.  He then attended Princeton University, class of 1951, and Johns Hopkins Medical School, class of 1955.  Intrigued by the new field of allergy and immunology Dr. McKay did his post-graduate work at Duke Medical School and at the CDC in Atlanta where he worked on early polio vaccination trials.

Peter was interested in people of all types, was a dedicated genealogist and enthusiastic gardener.  A product of Charlotte society he loved parties and festivities.  Raised in the tradition of giving back he volunteered his time generously serving, among other things, as a trustee of Chatham Hall School for many years, on the board of the Foundation of the Carolinas and as an Elder at Myers Park Presbyterian Church.

Dee Dee McKay was the love of his life.  They met at the Blowing Rock Horse Show in the summer of 1948, when he was at Princeton and she was about to enter Vassar.  Dating throughout college they married June 27, 1953 in Belmont, NC and celebrated their sixty-fifth wedding anniversary with their family last summer at their home in Linville, NC.

Dr. Hamilton Witherspoon McKay, Jr. was born October 28, 1929, in the midst of the great stock market crash, in Charlotte, NC, the son of Dr. Hamilton W. McKay and Katherine Whitner McKay.   He is survived by; his wife Lillian Lineberger McKay; his children Dr. Lili Teigland of Charlotte, Wit McKay of Williamstown, MA and Katherine McKay of Edwards, CO; his son-in-law Dr. Chris Teigland and daughter-in-law Annie Kennedy; and his grandchildren Peter Teigland- his wife Katie, Dr. Claire Stokes- her husband Bill, Elizabeth McKay and Anna Sloan. Peter and Dee Dee are expecting two great-grandchildren this winter.

He is also survived by his sister Katherine McKay Belk of Charlotte and five sisters- and brothers-in-law in Belmont and Atlanta, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other kin, all of whom adored their Uncle Peter.

Peter was a person of deep and abiding faith, which he carried forthrightly but humbly.  A man of service he gave time and treasure generously to Myers Park Presbyterian Church, Pawley’s Island Presbyterian Church and especially The Wee Kirk in Linville, NC where he took great pleasure in organizing and inviting distinguished pastors from around the country to come to the mountains, relax and to preach.

Family, friends, associates, his patients and perfect strangers all loved Peter for his sense of humor, integrity, kindness, thoughtfulness and unassuming intelligence.  His foremost desire was to make the world a better place than he found it.

Peter asked that, in lieu of any flowers or memorials, to remember him by performing an act of kindness for someone and asking them to pass it on.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at Myers Park Presbyterian Church.  Visitation with the family will be from 5:00-7:00 pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at the home of Drs. Lili and Chris Teigland, 700 Hungerford Pl. in Charlotte.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.