My Uncle Max passed away yesterday morning in his sleep (obituary link) at 91 years-old. Max was the last of the 13 McKain siblings.
Can you even imagine having 13 kids? Me neither!
He was preceded in death by nine brothers: Richard McKain, Roscoe (Anita) McKain, Otis (Doris) McKain, Johnny (Naomi) McKain, Roland (Lorraine) McKain, Dean (Eva) McKain, Jack (Betty) McKain, Dallas (Betty) McKain, and James Phillip McKain; and three sisters: Catherine (Pete) Critchlow, Ethel Jackson, and Shirley (Delmar) Robinett.
Uncle Max enjoyed playing rhythm guitar and would rarely step in on vocals, (typically, that was my Dad’s role) — I only remember him singing, “That Over 30 Look Sure Looks Good on You.”
(Taken while stationed in Korea: Uncle Max is far left — Dad is squatting and is 3rd from left.)
(Link to article about the McKain’s service to our country.)
When I think about Max, these things come to mind…
He loved to garden and can. Most of his canning and cooking was done at a garage behind a house he owned (that his daughter lived in and was previously owned by Uncle Dean) that someone named, “Road Kill Cafe.” I’m willing to bet that suited my Aunt Irene just fine since it kept him out of her kitchen.
He was actually a great cook and although it doesn’t say in his obituary, he liked to drink beer and he made the strongest wine batches in Jackson County. 😉
RIP Uncle Max…
