W. F. "Pat" McKee

W.F. “Pat” McKee, area educator and respected political leader died Thursday, December 29th at Southeast Hospital. He was 92 years old. He was born August 27, 1924 in Springdale, Arkansas and moved to Whitewater when he was five years old. He lived in Cape for 54 years. He graduated from Illmo High School and Southeast Missouri State University with a Master’s degree in Educational Administration. He married Joann “Jodie” Brazel in 1948. They had three children, Cinda, Tami and Brad. McKee retired from 41 years of teaching in 1987 having served as a classroom teacher or principal in the area towns of Zalma, Bernie, Chaffee, Morley, Sikeston and Cape Girardeau. He held professional offices in the Classroom Teachers Association and the Missouri State Teacher’s Association. His passion was in molding the character of his students and instilling knowledge to be best prepared for life. He especially delighted in seeing former students after he retired and finding out what they were doing in their lives. His hope of insuring critical thinking in his students led to political involvement. He ran for several offices including U.S. Congressman. He felt each person should have a sense of civic duty to contribute to his community. McKee served on the Board of Directors for Cape River Heritage Museum for approximately 25 years, he was a member of the Zalma Masonic Lodge 545, a Boy Scout leader, Head Start participant, sponsor of the SEMO State University Friendship Family Program, a WWII Army veteran serving in the Pacific Theatre, a volunteer for the resettlement and educating of Vietnamese families after the Vietnam War, office holder and advocate for Missouri Citizens for Life. He loved to travel and take cruises with family and friends. As a Christian his spiritual belief was strong and uncompromised. He was a member of Cape Bible Chapel. He did what he thought was the right thing to do – to give a voice to the oppressed and underprivileged. A fun activity every Christmas Eve was to anonymously give away money to those in need as they shopped in area discount shops. Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Jodie McKee of Cape Girardeau; two daughters, Cinda (George) Buck of Claremore, Oklahoma and Tami (Rod) Holshouser of Cape Girardeau; one son, Brad (Marian) McKee of Cape Girardeau; sister, Olivia (Joe) Tharpe of St. Louis; four grandchildren, Byron (Catrena) Buck, Jenny (Will) Herstek, Melodie (Jonathan) Dougherty and Tara Buck; eleven great-grandchildren, Shantel (Blake) Burch, Dalton Turner, Taylor Turner, Jordan Turner and Alexis Herstek, Justin (Megan) Embrey, Markus Buck, Spencer (Tori) Buck, Megan (Chris) Scott, Halle Dougherty, and Zane Dougherty; one great-great grandchild, Lucas Burch. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Seth, Edward, Glen and Al; two sisters, Arnita Wilson and Dee Kane. Friends may call Monday, January 2, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel. The funeral will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Dan Greene officiating. Burial will follow with full military honors at Cape County Memorial Park.

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W. F. "Pat" McKee

August 27, 1924 - December 29, 2016