Earl Mackey

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Earl Seay Mackey, 81, of Portland died Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, surrounded by family in Portland.

He was born Dec. 16, 1937 in Cape Girardeau to Christopher and Gracia Seay Mackey.

He graduated from Cape Girardeau Central High School and from the University of Missouri with a law degree. He worked as a legislative assistant to Sen. Stuart Symington in Washington, D.C., and then returned to Cape Girardeau in 1964 to practice law. He was later elected state representative, serving from 1966 to 1968.

Earl went on to a career focused primarily on legislative institutions at the state and federal levels. He was with the National Conference of State Legislatures from 1975 to 1987 and served as executive director and legislative director of international programs. Subsequently, his focus narrowed to higher education and government ethics, and he served in related executive positions in Portland, Frankfort, Kentucky, and Columbus, Ohio.

Earl retired to Venice, Florida, in 2001 and spent many years traveling the world and enjoying his association with the Jung Society of Sarasota. Declining health led him to relocate to Portland in 2016 to be closer to family.

Survivors include his brother, J. Linn Mackey of Durham, North Carolina; sons, Shawn Mackey of Sikeston, Missouri, and Colin (Sarah Jane) Mackey of Sacramento, California; daughters Michelle Aamodt of Draper, Utah, and Heather (Steve) Clement of Portland; and seven grandchildren.

Earl was preceded in death by a son, Christopher Mackey.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.