Malcolm Curtis Akey

Malcolm C. Akey went to be with his Lord on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at Wray, Colorado. He was born on June 27, 1924 to Ellis and Lucile Curtis Akey in Wray, Colorado. He met and married the love of his life, Doris Briggs Akey, in 1946 shortly after he returned from serving his country in World War II. To this union two children were born, Ronnald in 1947 and Phyllis in 1949.

As a small child, Malcolm learned good work ethics. At 6 years of age, his father was injured in an accident and Malcolm started delivering the Denver Post to help support the family. He attended the Wray Schools graduating with the class of 1942. He then attended Colorado State Teacher’s College in Greeley for one year following high school graduation. During his school years in Wray, Malcolm became associated with Glenn Miller, composer of Big Band Music, when Glenn's brother became the band director for the Wray band. Malcolm desired to join the Glenn Miller band with his bass clarinet but World War II changed the course of history for many young men and upon returning from the war, Malcolm attended Colorado A&M for a short time before meeting and marrying Doris, his wife of 71 years.

Early in his farming career, Malcolm and Doris lived and worked on the Ralph Briggs Ranch on the Arickaree River east of Beecher Island. In 1948, they then moved to the George Akey farm south of Wray where he farmed and ranched until retirement in 2006. He drove the school bus for many years building friendships with many of the kids who rode the bus that have continued through the years. He also officiated football for many years. Numerous young men in the community and several nephews remember good times working with Malcolm during annual wheat harvest. Malcolm was active in community and church affairs. He was a member of the Vernon fire department for several years and spent many years as Scout Master where he was active at both the local and district level. He was awarded the Copper Coyote for dedication to scouting at the district level. Malcolm was also instrumental in developing Southridge subdivision in the south part of Wray. He spent many years on the board of the local farmer's Co-op where he was Chairman of the Board. He served as lay leader of the Wray United Methodist Church and as a Sunday School teacher and was a member of the church for more than 85 years joining as a small child. Malcolm was very honored and humbled to be on one of the first Honor Flights from Colorado to view the World War II memorial in Washington, DC. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and The American Legion earning that right with his service in Navy during World War II.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. He was very supportive of his children and never missed a game or wrestling match that his son, Ronn, participated in. Many hours were spent over the kitchen table discussing different football strategies. He never missed any of his children's activities and attended as many of his grandchildren's activities as was possible. Malcolm had a special bond with his three grandchildren and they spent much time together on the farm enjoying times together on the tractor and on the combine during wheat harvest. He and his wife, Doris, spent many happy times square dancing and ball room dancing all over the tri-state area. Often times while he and Doris danced, the entire floor would stop to watch them waltz. It was a time spent with many good friends over the years.

During World War II, Malcolm was a sonar man aboard a destroyer escort, the DE 303 USS Crowley, and he was extremely proud and honored to have served his country during its' time of need. He recorded his memories of his time in the service and later these memories were compiled into a book, "One Sailor's Story", an accomplishment he was very proud of. He often would speak to the history classes in the schools about his time in the war, an assignment he took very seriously.

Malcolm leaves to mourn him his wife of 71 years, Doris, a son, Ronn and Carolyn, a daughter, Phyllis and Tom Gregg both of Wray, and three grandchildren, Brian and Nici of Holyoke, Cynthia and Ryan Kiesel of Escondido, California, and Jason and Alisa of Loveland. He is also survived by five great grandchildren, Gavin, Aiden and Peyton Kiesel and Malcolm and Evalyn Akey, two step-grandchildren, Katheryn and Anthony Pranno of Highlands Ranch and Kent and Lindy Gregg of Peyton, Colorado and 11 step great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Katlin, MaKenna and Sloane Bishop, Shane, Tyler and Jordyn Pranno and Jay Henry, Trevor, Masyn and Emebet Gregg, one step-great, great grandson, Kyler Bishop, four sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, one sister, one brother-in-law and one sister-in-law.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at 10:00 am at the Wray United Methodist Church with the Reverend Ben Wentworth officiating followed by burial at the Grandview Cemetery. Memorials can be given to the Wray Untied Methodist Scholarship Fund in care of the funeral home or directly to the church at 500 Blake Street in Wray. Arrangements were conducted by Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home.