Douglas Mcquay

No formal services are scheduled for Douglas Vaughn McQuay of Artesia, who passed away peacefully in the early hours of the morning, Saturday, January 2, 2016, at his home. It was his desire to be cremated and his ashes scattered near the ocean where he loved sailing and spending time with family and friends.
When someone passes you often read that they were taken too soon. In the case of Doug McQuay, he could have lived three lifetimes and not complete all the dreams and wonders he had. He'd be the first to tell you he wasn't perfect and learned some life lessons late. That doesn't take away the gift he was to those who knew him. He was a man of many talents and gifts. He was a man of few spoken words, but a believer in the power of communication. The belief was so strong that he started a communications business at a young age in Artesia and went on to build telecommunication towers and systems all over the world - and in working with research and development, he built his own software packages to monitor remote processes such as oil field installations, water utility facilities, gas pipelines, etc. His reputation as a specialist in his field garnered the attention of major communications companies and it didn't seem to matter where he was needed to build his systems; Las Vegas, London, top of the World Trade Center in New York, India, Japan, may Third World countries, and ranches across Texas as well.
Telecommunications wasn't his only form of communication, Doug was a lifetime learner. If you walked into any home he lived in you would see bookcases full of books he had read. He was a gatherer of knowledge and new ideas. He didn't just take on the ideas in those books as his own. He would question them and study them. He had his own opinions and loved to discuss or have a spirited debate about interesting topics. He would likely call this his "blurse" - a blessing and a curse. It was part of just what made Doug - Doug. We love him for it.
He played music by ear. He started with the trumpet and we recall him being shy trying to play Happy Birthday for his Mom. Soon he was playing to a room full of anyone who would listen as he played the trombone, the guitar and drums. In addition to music, he loved to move people with his laughter. His humor was woven deep into his genetics yet uniquely his own. His quick-witted, smart humor that relied on timing, he would say his line and them wait for it to set in as he looked at the receiver; then he would laugh with the receiver as if they held some special secret together.
The tenderness in Doug was what not everyone was able to see - those loving blue eyes that could tell a story without saying a single word. The gentle touch on a shoulder that said, "I love you", more than the sentence could ever convey.
After 20+ years of being away from Artesia and family, in 2013 Doug reconnected with lifelong friend and love of his life, Lori Malone, and returned home to start a new life adventure with her and to be around family once again. Upon his return, he started his own business, McQuay Technology, and went to work. He was an independent Software Developer/Embedded Systems Developer and had contracts with companies throughout the United States and plans to continue his work contract work with former clients overseas as he expanded his business in the local area as well.
His business expansion was not to be however. In the spring of 2015, Doug was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and those plans and those that Lori and Doug had as a team were not to be realized in the way they had hoped. However, they met the disease head on together and she was to be his biggest champion through the coming months. She has been his constant companion, source of strength and encouragement through this last year. His love and appreciation for her was no secret to anyone who knew them as he was the first to shout out his feelings for her to anyone who was around.
Doug was born May 26, 1962 in Artesia, New Mexico to parents K.H. (Bud) McQuay and Carolyn (Warren) Edwards. He attended schools in Artesia, Albuquerque and Houston, TX. Doug studied Electronics & Communications Engineering at NMSU - Carlsbad. The NMSU Instructor at the time was so impressed with Doug's understanding and knowledge of the field, he turned the class over to Doug on several occasions to teach and better explain the technology to students.
Doug was preceded in death by his father, K.H. (Bud) McQuay, his step-father Tom Edwards, Jr. (Tom-Tom), his paternal grandparents Robert F. & June McQuay, his paternal grandmother Billie Bullard, and maternal grandparents Ernie & Louise Warren. Also preceding him in death were three cousins, Dwayne Shaw, Ray Gwynne, Christy Patterson, and uncles Gary Gwynne, Ed Patterson and Harry Jorren.
Doug is survived by the love of his life Lori Malone of the home, his mother Carolyn Edward of Rio Rancho, NM; sisters Stephanie McQuay of Longview, TX and Colette (Nicole) Cox and husband Ruben of San Juan Capistrano, CA; his children A.J. McQuay and wife Megan of Albuquerque, NM, Jordan McQuay of Plano, TX, and daughter Brooke McQuay of Sugar Hill, GA; one grandson Luke McQuay; step-mother Brenda McQuay of Hot Springs, AR; step-sisters Stephanie Ussery, Robin Donnelly, Leslie Kauffman and step-brother Trey Edwards; aunts Marilyn Shaw and husband Harry of Rio Rancho, Martha Patterson and Nancy Jorren of Artesia; uncle Robert McQuay and wife Joan of San Diego, CA and numerous cousins - Gary Gwynne, Steve Shaw, Rod Shaw, Jim Jorren, Jenise Dahlin, Rusty Gwynne, Cara Peterson, Roxanne (McQuay) Kenny and Paul McQuay of California; nieces and nephews Tyson Yates, Trevor Yates, McKayla Morrison, all of Texas , and Austyn Guthrie and Erica Cox of California.
There will be a "Celebration of Life" balloon release at 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 9, at the Derrick Floor located at 6th and Main. Please join us at that time at the park, or wherever you are in the world and share with us as we say goodbye to a loved one and friend to many.
In lieu of flowers, Doug requested that donations be made to Lakeview Christian Hospice in Carlsbad, NM or to the American Lung Cancer Society.

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