Donald “Don” Joseph McNay, beloved husband and father, best-selling author and national columnist, passed away unexpectedly May 29, 2016 at age 57 in New Orleans while visiting his wife, Dr. Karen Thomas McNay who serves there as President of Ursuline Academy. Born in Covington, Ky. Feb. 13, 1959 to parents Joseph O. McNay and Ollie O. McNay, Don was the first of three children. He attended Covington Catholic High School and Eastern Kentucky University, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Political Science in 1981. His rapid success led to induction into the EKU Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 1998. Don earned a Master’s Degree from Vanderbilt University, graduated with a second Master’s from the American College of Financial Services in Bryn Mawr, Pa., and went on to obtain four coveted professional designations in the financial services field.
Founded McNay Settlement Group
He founded McNay Settlement Group Inc. in 1982 where he participated in more than 1,000 mediations and became one of the nation’s leading experts in helping people who are awarded large sums — in insurance cases, from state lotteries and other situations – to structure their finances. He served on the Board of Directors for the National Structured Settlement Trade Association and the Society of Settlement Planners. He actively participated in and commented on politics, serving as Assistant Kentucky State Coordinator for Al Gore’s successful presidential primary campaign in 1988 and as Campaign Treasurer for Former Secretary of State and State Auditor Bob Babbage in his 1995 gubernatorial campaign.
Was One of the World’s Leading Authorities on How Lottery Winners Handle Their Money
As one of the world’s leading authorities on how lottery winners handle their money, Don appeared on hundreds of national and international media programs. He was a frequent guest on Comment on Kentucky, the longest running public affairs program on Kentucky Educational Television (KET) and during many KET shows covering election results.
Syndicated Columnist and Author
Don wrote a syndicated column for CNHI News Service, served as a community columnist for the Lexington Herald-Leader and regularly contributed to The Huffington Post. He wrote eight best-selling books, including his most recent book, called Brand New Man: My Weight Loss Journey, which detailed his story following bariatric surgery. He was the owner of RRP International, a publishing and digital media company based in Lexington, Ky. He won “Best Columnist” from the Kentucky Press Association in 2005, and also served as Treasurer of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. The Lexington Jaycees named Don their Outstanding Young Lexingtonian in 1985.
He was an honorary Kentucky Colonel, and the mayor of Hazard designated him an honorary Duke of Hazard. He became a University Fellow at both EKU and the University of Kentucky, and was appointed to the Board of Directors for the EKU Foundation as a member of the Investment Committee. To his many friends and family members, Don is remembered as a passionate, loyal, generous, intelligent, larger-than-life person who deeply cared about and helped others. His many diverse interests included Cincinnati Reds baseball, CrossFit exercise, rock and roll history, public affairs and the stock market. He deeply loved his wife Karen, his children and relatives, and was fiercely loyal to those fortunate enough to call him friend. Don was preceded in death by parents Joseph McNay (1933-1993) and Ollie McNay (1939-2006) and his sister Theresa Ann McNay Francis (1969-2006). In addition to his wife Karen, he is survived by his daughters Angela Luhys and Gena Bigler, step-daughter Emily Kirby, step-sons Max and Zack Kirby, son-in-law Clay Bigler, nephew Nick McNay, half-brother Joseph John McNay, and three grandchildren: Abijah Luhys, Liam Bigler and Adelaide Bigler.
Shared Playful Banter on Music
Don and I shared our mutual interest in music. Fond memories of playful banter with Don on his song selection to promote structured settlements
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