Doug McCain, the eldest offspring of the late Senator John McCain, has passed away unexpectedly at 66.
His sister, Meghan McCain, known for her time on The View, paid tribute to her brother on X, saying, “It is with deep sorrow that I announce the sudden passing of my brother, Doug McCain.
“He was a remarkable and joyous individual who was a constant source of support in my life. His presence filled every room with laughter, excitement, and engaging discussions. I will hold our shared memories close. Our thoughts are with his wife Ashley and their children Caroline and Shepp during this difficult time.”
Doug held the position of the oldest child in John McCain’s family. The circumstances surrounding his death remain undisclosed at this time.
The McCain Institute expressed their sympathies on X, stating, “We offer our heartfelt condolences to the McCain family after the loss of Douglas ‘Doug’ Shepp McCain, the eldest son of John McCain.”
‘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.’
Doug is survived by his wife of 40 years, Ashley, his mother, Carol, and his two children.
The 66-year-old was the son of John McCain’s first wife, Carol Shepp, and was adopted by the senator after their 1965 marriage.
Doug McCain is pictured with his senator father John McCain in a photo shared by the McCain Institute
Doug carried on the McCain family’s storied military tradition as a Navy pilot, spending six years flying A-6 Intruders
Doug is pictured alongside his sister Meghan and mother Cindy as his father spoke at a campaign rally in 2008
The 66-year-old was the son of John McCain’s first wife, Carol Shepp, and was adopted by the senator after their 1965 marriage
Senator John McCain divorced Carol, now 88, in 1980 and later married his second wife, Cindy Hensley McCain.
Doug was born on October 4, 1959, in Pensacola, Florida. He grew up in Jacksonville, where he enjoyed surfing, baseball, and soccer, his obituary reads.
After graduating from Jacksonville Episcopal High School in 1977, he attended the University of Virginia, where he studied systems engineering, joined SAE and Navy ROTC, and met his future wife, Ashley.
After graduating university in 1982, he carried on the McCain family’s storied military tradition as a Navy pilot, spending six years flying A-6 Intruders.
After his time in the Navy, he continued flying with American Airlines, rising to captain and building a career around the work he loved.
‘Doug could always be counted on to tell you what he knew and, more often than not, explain why he was right,’ his obituary stated.
‘He secretly loved his “World Book” nickname and hated that Google eventually put him out of business,’ it added.
In his free time, the 66-year-old also played golf and was ‘very proud to hold the McCain family record of three holes-in-one.’
After the Navy, he continued flying with American Airlines, rising to captain and building a career around the work he loved
‘Doug will be remembered for his generous heart, his loyal friendships, and his unwavering love for his family,’ per his obituary
There will be a private funeral service for Doug and a memorial service on May 30, his obituary noted
‘Doug will be remembered for his generous heart, his loyal friendships, and his unwavering love for his family. He will be dearly missed by those close to him,’ his obituary stated.
Private funeral services will be held for Doug. A memorial gathering will be held at the Princess Anne Country Club in Virginia Beach on May 30, from 12pm to 3pm.
Senator McCain was the 2008 Republican presidential nominee. He died in August 2018 following his diagnosis of brain cancer.
The presidential nominee also served as a naval officer and aviator, flying ground-attack aircraft from aircraft carriers.