About Garry
From a quiet Kentucky ranch to the bright light of a Disney stage, Gary Mackey’s life is a testament to resilience, imagination, and the quiet power of kindness. A disabled veteran who carried scars and gratitude alike, Gary learned to live life on his own terms, moving from city to city, parking cars, driving buses, and listening deeply to the people around him. His heart found its compass among strangers and stories, especially during years with Walt Disney World’s guest relations team, where every smile reminded him that connection can bridge any distance.
”Having those various personalities coming at me one after another was a great experience,”
he recalled. A true people person, Gary believes writing is another way to express that love.
Growing up on a 1,500-acre ranch beside the Ohio River, Gary absorbed patience, hard work, and the gift of home. Those rural roots became the seed of Joey the Christmas Kangaroo. As a boy, he imagined Santa sharing a sleigh with a friend to brighten the night; as a man, that dream blossomed into a tale that would travel beyond borders. In Australia, where Christmas morning is first, Joey joins Santa to guide Rudolph, teaching children that no one is invisible, and that friendship crosses cultures.
Published first as a joyful Christmas story, Joey’s warm reception launched a lifetime of storytelling. In 2012 Gary wrote three more tales for his grandchildren, envelopes mailed as letters that later became illustrated books. With characters like Victor the mischievous miniature donkey, Daisy the fearless sheepdog, and St. Patrick the champion goat, his ranch comes alive on the page, inviting families to laugh, dream, and believe.
Much of Gary’s inspiration comes from his life on the ranch. Many of his characters were based on real animals he once cared for.