David McKay Bone

The world lost a great man when Lt. Col. David McKay Bone, USA (Ret), passed away at home in Woodland Park, Colorado, on May 19, 2023. Throughout his 84 years, Col. Bone lived a life full of love for his family, his country, and the great outdoors. David was born August 26, 1938, in Wichita, Kansas, to Waldo LeRoy “Roy” Bone and Mary Barackman Bone, whose loving home he also shared with his sisters Helen Jeanne and Kathie. The family moved briefly to Coffeyville, Kansas, but spent most of David’s early years in Wichita, where he graduated from Wichita East High School.

During his time as a student at Wichita University (now Wichita State U.), David was active in ROTC, including the Scabbard and Blade and Pershing Rifle organizations. There he met and became engaged to fellow cadet Sally Dale, and they were married in 1962 in Sally’s hometown of Garden City, Kansas.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree from WU in 1961, David began a nearly 23-year career of distinguished service to our country in the U. S. Army. He attended the Army’s Command and General Staff College and quickly rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel. After short stints as Armor Officer and Quartermaster Officer, he spent sixteen years of his career specializing in Tactical Intelligence and Counterintelligence, and earned numerous awards and citations, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Combat Infrantryman Badge, and multiple Bronze Stars. His career took him and his family across the world, with assignments in Kansas, Pennsylvania, and Texas, as well as Vietnam (2 tours), France, and Belgium. The latter included a key post at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium. Col. Bone honorably retired from service in 1984.

An avid history buff, David loved reading military histories, researching his genealogy, and visiting historic sites in the US and Europe. He was proud of his Scottish heritage and was a member of the Clan Mackay Society. David loved the outdoors, especially fishing – favorite angling spots included Kansas, New York, and even Canada. He loved tinkering with his fishing boat in his barn during the colder seasons, as well as simply enjoying a glass of wine and the remarkable view of Pike’s Peak from his deck. Travel was a happy pastime for David and he often took along his extended family on trips across the country and in Europe. His deep love for his family was evident, even during competitive rounds of “31”, a favorite card game.

Col. Bone is survived by his widow, Sally Dale Bone of Woodland Park; son Jeffrey McKay Bone (Mary Jane) of Colorado Springs; granddaughter Madeline Bone & grandson Connor Bone, both of Colorado Springs; and sister Mary Kathleen Bone Keller of San Dimas, Calif. He is predeceased by his parents and his older sister, Helen Jeanne Bone Lair.

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