John McCain’s eldest son Doug McCain dead at 66, family says

Meghan McCain and her family are mourning the sudden death of her half-brother, Douglas Shepp McCain, the eldest adopted son of the late Senator John McCain. He was 66 years old.

Doug McCain died Wednesday, according to his funeral home’s obituary, which did not reveal the cause of his sudden death.

“I am deeply saddened to share the news of the sudden passing of my brother Doug McCain,” Meghan McCain wrote Sunday morning on X. “He was a truly wonderful and joyful man who supported me throughout my life.”

“He brought humor, fun and great conversation into every room. I will cherish our memories together. Our prayers are with his wife Ashley and his children Caroline and Shepp.”

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Douglas McCain holds his hand on his heart at the funeral of his adoptive father, the late Senator John McCain, in 2018. (David Wallace/The Republic)

The McCain Institute also offered its condolences to the family.

“We extend our condolences to the McCain family on the passing of Douglas ‘Doug’ Shepp McCain, John McCain’s eldest son,” the institute wrote on X on Saturday.

“A Navy pilot like his father, Doug will be remembered as a patriot and friend to the many alumni of Senator McCain’s Institute, campaigns and Senate staff,” the institute continued.

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Douglas McCain (left) was adopted by the late Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. (Robyn Beck/AFP)

Doug McCain was born October 4, 1959, in Pensacola, Florida, and grew up in Jacksonville, where he surfed and played baseball and football. He graduated from Jacksonville Episcopal High School in 1977 before attending the University of Virginia, where he majored in systems engineering, joined Navy ROTC and met his future wife Ashley Jardine.

After graduating from UVA in 1982, McCain joined the Navy and spent six years flying A-6 Intruders. He then built a long career at American Airlines, where his family said he found a job he loved, especially after becoming a captain.

Doug was John McCain’s adopted son from the senator’s first marriage to Carol Shepp McCain. John McCain, a Navy aviator held as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, later represented Arizona in the U.S. Senate and became the Republican presidential nominee in 2008. He died in 2018.

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Douglas McCain, third from right, takes the stage with Cindy McCain and her children during the Republican National Convention at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, September 4, 2008. (Paul J. Richards/AFP)

“Doug could always be counted on to tell you what he knew and, more often than not, to explain why he was right,” his obituary read. “He secretly loved his nickname ‘World Book’ and hated that Google would eventually put him out of business. He loved golf and was very proud to hold the McCain family record of three holes in one.

“He was a loyal friend to many and cherished every friendship. He was a devoted son, a loving father to Caroline and Shepp, and recently found great joy in being a grandfather to Teddy. Doug will be remembered for his generous heart, his loyal friendships, and his unwavering love for his family. He will be greatly missed by those close to him.”

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He is survived by his wife of 40 years Ashley Jardine McCain, his daughter Caroline McCain Hendrickson, his son Douglas Shepp McCain Jr. and his grandson Teddy. He is also survived by his mother Carol Shepp McCain, his brother Andy McCain, his sister Sidney McCain, his stepmother Cindy McCain and his half-siblings Meghan, Jack, Jimmy and Bridget.

Private services will be held for the family. A memorial gathering is planned for Saturday, May 30 at the Princess Anne Country Club in Virginia Beach, Virginia.