Pat McKee

W.F. “Pat” McKee, area educator and respected political leader, died Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016, at Southeast Hospital. He was 92 years old.

He was born Aug. 27, 1924, in Springdale, Arkansas, and moved to Whitewater when he was 5 years old. He lived in Cape Girardeau 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, Missouri; Bernie, Missouri; Chaffee, Missouri; Morley, Missouri; Sikeston, Missouri; and Cape Girardeau. He held professional offices in the Classroom Teachers Association and the Missouri State Teachers 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 ensuring 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 Southeast Missouri State University Friendship Family Program, a World War II Army veteran serving in the Pacific Theater, a volunteer for the resettlement and educating of Vietnamese families after the Vietnam War and 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 for him 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; a 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; 11 great-grandchildren, Shantel (Blake) Burch, Dalton Turner, Taylor Turner, Jordan Turner and Alex Herstek, Justin (Megan) Embrey, Markus Buck, Spencer (Tori) Buck, Megan (Chris) Scott, Halle Dougherty and Zane Dougherty; and a great-great-grandchild, Lucas Burch.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Seth, Edward, Glen and Al McKee; and two sisters, Arnita Wilson and Dee Kane.

Visitation was Monday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral followed the visitation at the funeral home, with the Rev. Dan Greene officiating. Burial with full military honors was at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.