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February 6, 2012

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Ralph D. McKee

Published 2-7-12

Enid News & Eagle

ENID — Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Ralph D. McKee, 90, died Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, at Wuesthoff Hospital in Rockledge, Fla. He was born near Southard, Okla.

He came to Brevard County in July 1958 from Montgomery, Ala.

Col. McKee retired from the Air Force in 1965, after 24 years of service. He was a veteran of heavy bomber air operations during World War II and the Korean War. His decorations included two Distin-guished Flying Crosses, two Purple Hearts, five Air Medals, Air Force Commendation Medal, six Campaign and Service Medals and the French Legion of Honor.

After retiring from the Air Force, he was engaged in various engineering assignments on the Apollo and shuttle programs for 31 years.

He was a graduate of Oklahoma State University, Florida Institute of Technology and the Air Command and Staff College.

He was a member of Faith “Viera” Lutheran Church.  Other memberships included Caterpillar Club, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Phi Kappa Phi Honorary Society, American Mensa Ltd, AF&AM No. 418 — Oklahoma, F&AM No. 318 — Florida, Scottish Rite of Freemasonary, Azan Temple Shrine, National Society of Professional Engineers, Florida Engineering Society, Institute of Certified Professional Managers, Aircraft Owners & Pilot’s Association and the Soaring Society of America.

Survivors include his wife, Elinor S. McKee of Viera, Fla.; daughters, Dianne M. Rhodes (Don) of Melbourne and Helen M. Duncan (John) of Coral Gables; granddaughter, Shannon E. Hill (Gregory); great-granddaughters, Blair Alexandra Hill and Holland McKee Hill; great-grandson, Gregory H. Hill Jr. of Nashville, Tenn.; daughter-in-law, Diane H. McKee of Jupiter; and nephews, Dr. Larry L. McKee (Vicki) and Dr. Garry L. McKee of Oklahoma City.

He was predeceased by his son, Ralph D. McKee Jr.; grandson, Chadley M. Rhodes; and brother, Marion Leon McKee.

Calling hours will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012, at Beckman-Williamson Funeral Home, Viera, with visitation 9:30-10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012, at Faith Viera Lutheran Church, followed by a funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Full military honors by the United States Air Force will follow church. Burial will be 12:45 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, 2012, in South Florida National Cemetery, Lake Worth, Fla.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Florida Institute of Technology, Chadley M. Rhodes Scholarship Endowment, 150 West University Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32901.

(Submitted by family)

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