John Mackey, who was recognized as the oldest practicing attorney in Wyoming at age 89, died on May 6, 2007, while continuing his work in law.
Born in Omaha, Nebraska, on December 6, 1917, Mackey was the fifth of six children raised by Elsie and Clarence Mackey. He grew up in Ansley, Nebraska, where he took part in band and football before graduating from Ansley High School in 1936. He spent two summers as a fire guard in Yellowstone Park during college.
A supporter of the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers, Mackey attended the university for several years. In January of 1942, following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he left school to enlist in the Army Air Corps with friends. He served until summer 1946 and spent his final service year flying planes from California to various bases for decommissioning.
While stationed in Alaska, Mackey met Sally Hill from Laramie. They were married on March 2, 1944. After his military service concluded, he used the GI Bill to attend law school at the University of Wyoming. He graduated in 1948 and began practicing law in Laramie before moving to Pinedale with his wife two years later because they liked the area.
Mackey served as county attorney for nearly twenty years. He was also elected to City Council and acted as counsel for both the school board and Town Council while expanding his private practice. With more than fifty-nine years as a member of the Wyoming Bar and membership at Pinedale Masonic Lodge, Mackey built a lengthy career.
He was featured by Wyoming State Bar magazine *Wyoming Lawyer* in April 1998 under “Proud to be a Wyoming Lawyer.” In recent years he advocated for local water rights protection as a private citizen.
On his final day alive, Mackey carried out routine activities: chopping wood, going to work at his office, reading emails and visiting local stores before returning to work again.
He is survived by Sally Hill Mackey; children Susie Riske (and her husband) of Cheyenne; Steve Mackey (and wife) of Pinedale; Molly Olson (and husband) of Hays, Kansas; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sister Louise Brush (and her husband) of Omaha; a nephew and many others.
