Bob McKamey
Bob McKamey, an automotive icon who would become one of the most prominent people in the history of East Tennessee, died Tuesday afternoon at the age of 83. He had been hospitalized until recently and said over the weekend he felt much improved.
He originally started as a “lot boy,” washing cars for his dad but over the next 60 years he molded an empire.
After becoming the first Toyota dealer in the Southeast, not only did he become one of the most respected and prestigious car dealers in the country, he spent as much time bringing the Toyota brand to the United states as he did setting sales records.
On two occasions Mr. McKamey headed the Toyota Dealer Council, lobbied successfully when the unions wanted to drive foreign cars out of the United States, and was an acknowledged insider to Toyota’s management. As of late he relished tell customers that there were more parts in a 2010 Camry than in any model of a Ford or Chevrolet they could name. In addition to owning Capital Toyota and Lexus of Chattanooga, he was a principal partner in a dozen dealerships in Kentucky and Indiana with his longtime partner Steve Gates.
He gave the lead gift for a new city animal shelter, which was named in his honor.
Mr. McKamey is survived by his children, Karla and Jeff, as well as every employee at Capital Toyota and Lexus of Chattanooga. “We got the finest people we’ve had and they know they are each part of my family.”
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Graceworks Church, 6445 Lee Highway with Dr. Bill Owens and Rev. Wayne Peters officiating, and the eulogy will be delivered by Roy Exum.
Burial will follow at Hamilton Memorial Gardens with Donnie Hutchinson, Mark Schmissrauter, Ed Emerson, Jim Hammond, Mike Yarbrough and Ron Littlefield serving as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends on Friday from 4-8 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Road.
The McKamey Animal Center issued this statement, "The board of directors, staff and volunteers at The Mckamey Animal Center are terribly saddened by the passing of Bob McKamey - our benefactor, namesake and friend. Bob was a devoted animal lover, an avid supporter of all things animal-related, a community leader, and a truly kind, wonderful man.
"We are so grateful for his and his daughter Karla’s hard work to bring our shelter to the people and animals in Chattanooga over 10 years ago.
"He will be greatly missed by all of us, and by the four-legged friends he leaves behind at home and at the McKamey Animal Center. We are all so sad to say goodbye to Bob."