John Mccain’s son Doug McCain dies suddenly at 66
Douglas Shepp McCain, the eldest adopted son of john mccain, died Wednesday at 66. Meghan McCain said Sunday morning that her brother Doug McCain had died suddenly, and the McCain Institute posted condolences on Saturday.
Meghan McCain wrote that he was “a truly wonderful, joyful man who supported me throughout my life.” She added that she would cherish their memories and said their prayers were with his wife Ashley and children Caroline and Shepp.
Meghan McCain tribute
McCain also wrote, “He brought humor, fun and great conversation to every room. I will cherish our memories together. Our prayers are with his wife Ashley and children Caroline and Shepp.” Her post was the first family statement in the verified facts and tied the news to the immediate family left behind.
The McCain Institute said, “We extend our condolences to the McCain family following the passing of Douglas 'Doug' Shepp McCain, the eldest son of John McCain,” and added, “A Navy pilot like his father, Doug will be remembered as a patriot and friend to the many alumni of Sen. McCain’s Institute, campaigns & Senate staff.” That language places him inside the network built around John McCain’s military and political career.
Douglas Shepp McCain
Doug McCain was born on Oct. 4, 1959, in Pensacola, Florida, grew up in Jacksonville and graduated from Jacksonville Episcopal High School in 1977. He attended the University of Virginia, majored in systems engineering, joined Navy ROTC and met his future wife Ashley Jardine there.
After graduating from UVA in 1982, he joined the Navy and spent six years flying A-6 Intruders before building a long career with American Airlines, where he became a captain. He was John McCain’s adopted son from the senator’s first marriage to Carol Shepp McCain, and John McCain died in 2018.
McCain family legacy
The family statement and the institute tribute leave the next step in mourning public and personal, centered on Ashley, Caroline and Shepp as relatives and the McCain network mark the loss. For people connected to that circle, the immediate fact is simple: Doug McCain is gone, and the public remembrances now stand as the record of how he was known.
