Early Life and Business Career
Born in Portland, Douglas was the son of E. D. McKay, a farmer, and the former Minnie A. Musgrove. His family's limited means required him to work while still a schoolboy. After his father's death in 1911, McKay was forced to leave school before receiving a high school diploma. He was admitted to Oregon State College as an agriculture student at age 20. McKay was elected student body president in 1916. He graduated in 1917 with a Bachelor of Science degree. That same year, McKay married Mabel C. Hill on March 31. Over the years, they had three children.
During World War I, he served with the United States Army in Europe, where he advanced to the rank of First Lieutenant. He sustained an injury in battle to his leg, right arm and shoulder, which earned him a Purple Heart. Upon discharge, the disability prevented his performing the strenuous activities of farming, as he had planned, so he began a business career in Portland selling insurance, and then automobiles, rising to the position of sales manager. After the move to the sales manager position, the company sent him to Salem, Oregon, where he was in charge of their dealership in that city.
He opened Douglas McKay Chevrolet Co. in 1927, and later started a Cadillac dealership as well. McKay later served as president of the Oregon Automobile Dealer's Association.
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