Roll Call Tribute

William A. "Wick" McKean 

April 17, 1947 - October 12, 2024 

William “Wick” McKean was born April 17, 1947, in Gloucester, MA to Louise and Colonel William A. McKean. Wick died peacefully in his home on October 12th (like a true Aggie), 2024, surrounded by his family. A special thanks to Allumine Health Home Health and Hospice and Right At Home In Home Care and Assistance.

Wick McKean was a true Renaissance man. Growing up, Wick lived wherever the military stationed his family. He attended 4 different high schools, eventually graduating from high school in Annadale, VA. Raised as an avid outdoorsman, Wick spent much of his time in the woods – hunting, fishing and enjoying nature. In Hawaii, when he couldn’t be found in class, you could find him hanging 10 at the North Shore.

Upon graduating from high school, Wick was accepted into Texas A&M University. Wick had no idea what Texas A&M University was all about and really no idea where it was. When his bus arrived, he unloaded his bags, and was immediately indoctrinated into Aggie tradition. He had no idea what a t-sip was, but he learned immediately that they were to be hated. Wick became the Commander of Company B-2 and a Ross Volunteer where he honed his skills of shooting birds on campus (so they wouldn’t mess up his new truck), and cleaning deer in the bathroom showers. It was at Texas A&M where he would meet the love of his life, Janice Marshall, on a blind date during Aggie bonfire in 1967.

In 1969, in order to make the most of his parents’ visit to Texas, Wick graduated from college, was commissioned into the US Army and got married all in the same weekend. Wick completed Infantry Officer Basic training and earned the Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, and Pathfinder Badge. He was ordered to service in Vietnam with the 82d Airborne Division as part of the 2d Battalion, 75th Rangers. For his service in Vietnam, he received the Combat Infantryman Badge, Air Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He was later honorably discharged at Ft. Hood with the rank of Captain.

Upon discharge, Wick couldn’t think of any other place to call home other than Bryan/College Station, so Janice and Wick moved to College Station and started Jan-Wic Homes. Wick spent many years as a homebuilder and served as the President of the Homebuilders Association. Around the same time, Wick and Janice gave birth to their daughter, Jamie, and then their son, Cody. They both spent much of their time attending softball games, baseball games, dance recitals, football games and traveling, with their most memorable vacations in the great outdoors. Scuba, skiing, horseback riding, hiking, fishing, and hunting, only a few of their great adventures as a family.

In the early 90’s, Wick decided to switch from homebuilding to commercial construction and started JaCody Construction (named after his kids, Jamie & Cody). JaCody Construction was honored with the construction of many municipal projects, hospitals, churches and the construction of numerous businesses in the Bryan/College Station and surrounding areas. In 2008, JaCody Construction was recognized as “Aggie 100” business of excellence. After years of dedication, hard work and perseverance, Wick reluctantly decided to retire in 2021 and hand the reins over to his son, Cody McKean.

To say Wick was an awesome man, would be the understatement of the century. Never one to boast or seek recognition, Wick was a loving father and family man, Army veteran, Texas Aggie (Class of ’69) alumni, supporter of the community, surfer, sky diver, hunter, fisherman, skier, horseman, polo player, golfer, and more. In 2019 he was recognized by the Aggie Class of ’69 for his contributions to the Spirit Plaza Project. He was also recognized by US Congressman, Bill Flores, with the Congressional Veterans Commendation in 2019.

He lived a life of adventure, love, kindness and determination few could ever imagine. He will be forever missed by his one true love, Janice McKean, his daughter, Jamie McKean Hodges and her husband Cody Joe Hodges, his son, Cody McKean and his wife Emily McKean, their children, Chase McKean and his fiancé, Camryn Schultz, Madison Zimmerman and her husband, Ty Zimmerman and Makenzie McKean, his brother, Mike McKean and his wife, Brenda McKean and their children Stacey McKean-Diedrich and family and Jonathan McKean and family, his sister-in-law, Glenda Marshall and her kids, Debbie Marshall and family, Lori Marshall, Lisa Spedale and family and his brother-in-law, Mike Marshall and his wife Pamela Marshall and their kids, Justin Marshall and Blake Marshall along with many other loved ones and family that refer to him as their “Uncle Wick”.

Services will be held at Christ Church, located at 4201 Texas 6 Frontage Rd., College Station, TX 77845, on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 2:00 pm. Memorial contributions can be made to Hayley’s Halo, https://hayleyshalo.com and Allumine Health Hospice. Express condolences with the family at www.CallawayJones.com.