John J. Makay

John Joseph Makay, 86 of Maumee, Ohio, passed away on September 9, 2024. He was born on July 13, 1938, in St. Clair City Michigan to the late Joseph John and Olive Irene (Robbins) Makay.

John graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School on June 14, 1956. He attended and graduated from Adrian College in 1960. He received his bachelor’s degree in humanities with a concentration in communication, history, religion and philosophy. John then received his masters degree in rhetorical studies with cognate work in theatre and mass media from Kent State University in 1964 and his Ph.D from Purdue University in rhetorical studies with cognate work in American politics in 1969. John also served in the U.S. Army Security Agency, where he trained in electronic communication intercept operations, and served in Missouri, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Florida, Texas and Turkey. John’s rank at separation was an E-5 (Specialist) when he was honorably discharged in 1963. 

Over the course of his career, John had many professional appointments at Kent State University, Purdue University, University of Maryland, Bowling Green State University, The Ohio State University, Josephinum Pontifical College, and The State University of New York College at Geneseo, where he was a full professor and Department Chair of Interpersonal Communication. After spending a few years as the Director of the School of Communication at Bowling Green State University, John officially retired in 2003. John was awarded the status of Professor Emeritus from Bowling Green State University in 2006. He continued to teach as an adjunct professor at Owens Community College, Lordes College, Ohio Northern University, Heidelberg College’s Arrowhead Park Campus and Adrian College until 2011. 

In addition to his professional appointments, John authored 10 textbooks, 28 articles and book chapters, 4 workbooks, 57 national convention papers and programs, 31 regional convention papers and programs, and 15 state convention papers and programs. John was the director for over 27 theses and 45 dissertations, worked as an editor and/or served on more than 10 editorial boards, 13 professional committees and led over 40 executive and corporate trainings. He taught over 11 different undergraduate courses and 6 different graduate seminars, in addition to his work as a department chair. John attended many conferences and conventions, belonged to the National Communication Association, Central States Communication Association, Eastern Communication Association, was initiated into Theta Alpha Phi at Adrian College and Pi Kappa Phi at Bowling Green State University. In 1997, John was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from Adrian College. John was also active as an alumni at Purdue University. 

John was an avid art collector, animal lover, and enjoyed volunteering at the American Legion and Veterans Clinic near his home in Maumee, Ohio. John enjoyed an active lifestyle, including regular sessions with a personal trainer, participating in a walking club and weekly yoga classes. He was the president of his condominium association and an active member at First Unitarian Church of Toledo. John also enjoyed traveling, especially to Jamaica, Florida, The Outer Banks and Virginia. 

John was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Nancy Green. John was loved dearly by his blended family. He is survived by his 3 children: Jennifer Makay, Kathryn Makay Johnson and Elizabeth Makay Leonard; grandchildren Andrew Makay, Paige Makay-Arnold, Sarah Drobny, Mary Drobny Weaver, Nikki Johnson and Alex Leonard; stepchildren Kristen Lancaster, Samantha Rogers, and David Schmidt as well as their 6 children, his 2 great-grandchildren, his sister Susan Northrup, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held Sunday, September 29, 2024 at 1:00 pm at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial and Cremation Services, 3926 S 9th St., Kalamazoo, Michigan 49009, where family will greet friends from 12:00 pm until the time of services. A reception will be provided at the same location following the funeral service. A private burial will be held at Mt. Everest Cemetery in Kalamazoo. 

Contributions in memory of John can be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (vfw.org). To send flowers to Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial and Cremation Services in John’s memory, please contact VanderSalm’s Flower shop and Garden Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan.