Obituary of Roy D. McAtee

Roy D. “Mac” McAtee, age 55 of rural Riverside died suddenly , Wednesday, January 28, 2004 of an apparent heart attack at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 31, 2004 at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City with the Reverend Judy Gingerich officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7pm today at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Mac’s memory. Online condolences may be sent for Mac’s family through our website @www.gayandciha.com. Roy Dalton McAtee was born November 14, 1948 in Jesup, Iowa the son of Charles D and Gladys (Thompson) McAtee. He graduated from Jesup High School in 1966. During the Vietnam War, he served in the United States Army, receiving the Purple Heart. On May 20, 1969, Mac married Peggy A. Thompson in Independence, Iowa. The couple made their home in Iowa City in 1970, and later moved to the Riverside area in 1996. From 1970 to 1978, he worked for Noll Motors, later becoming Old Capital Motors, and then Hargrave Motors. He and Peggy then operated Hills Standard for a number of years. Most recently he has been employed by the University of Iowa as a facilities mechanic. Everyone who knew Mac knew a man that loved his family, a man that worked hard, but also played hard, enjoying and appreciating life to its fullest. Throughout the years he has had many interest and passions, including but not limited to stock car racing, motorcycling, Ragbrai, marathon running, and woodworking, but when it came down to what was important to him in this life it was his family and many friends. Mac’s family includes his wife, Peggy; daughters, Michele McAtee of Iowa City, and Shannon Chapman of Riverside; grandson, Levi Chapman; sisters, Fern Fenner of Independence, Ardis and her husband, Bill Hickey of Independence, Donna Mastellar of Jesup, and Marlys and her husband, Bill Fuller of Eatonton, GA; brothers and their wives, Harry and Sharon McAtee and Dallas and Tiny McAtee all of Jesup; brother-in-law, Dave Ciesielski of Independence. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Darlene Ciesielski and Hazel Eldridge. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City is caring for Roy’s family and his services.