Dr. Buchanan McKay

COLUMBIA Memorial service for Dr. Buchanan McMaster McKay, 79, was held Thursday at 3 pm at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Foundation Building Fund, 1100 Sumter Street, Columbia, S.C. 29201.

Dr. McKay died October 17, 2004. Born on July 18, 1925, he was the son of the late Douglas and Anne Lowndes Walker McKay. He attended public schools in Columbia, graduated from the University of South Carolina with honors and received the prestigious Algernon Sidney Sullivan Award, the highest award a university can give to a student. He graduated from Duke Medical School and took his residency in pediatrics at the University of Virginia.

Dr. Buck, as he was affectionately known, volunteered for the Air Force and was stationed at Davis–Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona. Upon discharge, he returned to Columbia and practiced pediatrics for a number of years with Dr. Richard Josey. For health reasons, he returned to Davis–Monthan Air Force Base, where he practiced as a civilian pediatrician. While at Davis–Monthan, he established its first pediatric ward. He was co–author of the first medical thesis on valley fever in children. Upon his retirement from civilian employment at Davis–Monthan, he received the Air Force Certificate of Service “in recognition of sixteen years of faithful and devoted federal service.” He was also awarded the Meritorious Civilian Service Award, one of the highest awards the Air Force presents to a civilian, which reads in part: “His accomplishments as a physician, researcher, and educator are distinctive and have represented a major contribution to the health and welfare of the Davis–Monthan Air Force Base military community.”

Later he was responsible for the formation of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Arizona Medical School in Tucson. From 1972 until 1995 he worked at the El Rio Clinic in Tucson. Patients and colleagues have many good memories of working with him during these years.

Surviving are his brothers, Douglas McKay Jr. and Julius W. McKay; brother–in–law, Col. Edward Chalgren; seven nieces and nephews; and 17 great–nieces and great–nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Anne Lowndes McKay Chalgren.

Ray Ambrose

LEXINGTON A celebration of the life of Ray Ambrose, 62, was held Wednesday at 5 pm at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel. The family received friends for an hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Palmetto Health Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 7275, Columbia, S.C. 29202-9649.

Mr. Ambrose died Sunday, October 24, 2004. Born in Conway, he was a son of the late Raymond G. and Thelma Bonner Ambrose. He was a graduate of the USC School of Journalism and the USC School of Law. He was in private practice of law until 1991 when he became an attorney for the SC State Accident Fund.

Mr. Ambrose grew up in Conway and was an accomplished shagger. He enjoyed gardening, and was an avid golfer who loved spending time and playing cards with family and friends.

Surviving are his wife, Malissa Humphries Ambrose formerly of Gaffney; daughter, Elizabeth Drake of Columbia; sons, Raymond “Trey” Ambrose of Beaufort and Richard Brogdon “Richie” Ambrose of Columbia; sister, Frances Altman of Chapin; and grandchildren, Charlie, Hampton, and Brycen.