Services Set for 99.5 QYK’s Dave McKay

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Tampa Bay area residents mourning the loss of 99.5 QYK’s Dave McKay are invited to attend a celebration of the radio personality’s life this Thursday.

The radio station has announced that a service will be held for McKay at downtown St. Petersburg’s Mahaffey Theater. Doors open at the 400 1st St. S. venue at 4:30 p.m. with the service starting at 5.

“Tears are accepted, but laughs and hugs are encouraged because Dave wouldn’t have it any other way,” QYK announced on its website. During the service, “we’ll tell stories and show Dave the love from all the listeners and friends in our QYK family.”

McKay, whose real name is Steve Ehmke, was found dead in his St. Petersburg home last Thursday, Aug. 4. The 55-year-old didn’t show up for his shift on the “Dave and Veronica Show,” prompting a co-worker to go check on him. While McKay’s death remains under investigation, St. Petersburg Police have said foul play is not suspected.

News of McKay’s death struck fans and friends hard with many taking to social media to express grief. The station also issued a statement in the wake of the loss:

Dave was one of the nicest people any of us have ever met and he was 100% the guy you heard on air for years.

If you were a listener to 99.5 QYK, you were his friend – that’s how he felt. Even if you’d never met him, Dave loved you.

Say a prayer for Dave’s family, his friends, and all of us here at 99.5 QYK – because we’re hurting right along with you.

Photo courtesy of QYK