GEORGE H. McKEE

GEORGE McKEE Obituary

GEORGE H. McKEE
The former Governor of the United States Soldier's and Airmen's Home, Lt. General George H. McKee, USAF (Ret.), passed away on January 6, 2015 at the age of 91. He was appointed in 1978 by President Carter to be the Governor of the Soldier's and Airmen's Home in Washington, D.C., with follow on appointments by Presidents Reagan and Bush. In recognition of his dedicated leadership and caring advocacy for the members of the Soldier's and Airmen's Home, Lt. General McKee was awarded the Army's Civilian Service Medal, the Air Force's Exceptional Civilian Service Medal, and the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service. In September 1975 he retired from the United States Air Force as the Commander of the Air Training Command. He spent most of his career in the Strategic Air Command (SAC). Prior assignments included Command of the 319th, 97th, and 72nd Bomb Wings, the 19th Air Division and the 8th Air Force. He was also the Chief of Staff, SAC Headquarters, Offutt Air Force Base, NE and Director of Maintenance and Engineering Headquarters, USAF. His military decorations include three of Air Force's Distinguished Service Medals, two Legion of Merits, the Distinguished Flying Cross, Five Air Medals and the Spanish Air Force's Legion of Merit. His wife, Nikki, preceded him in death. He is survived by daughter Beverly Wilson of Clayton, GA; son Lt. Colonel George M. McKee, USAF Ret., of Alta Loma, CA; four grandsons; one granddaughter; seven great-granddaughters and two great-grandsons, and his sister. Lt. General George H. McKee's memorial services will be held at Falcons Landing, 20530 Falcons Landing, Potomac Falls, Virginia 20175 and his interment services will be at Arlington National Cemetery. Both will be at a later date. It is requested that any memorial gifts be made to either, The Women's Memorial, Dept. 560, Washington, D.C. 20042-0560 or the Air Force Enlisted Village, PO Box 5000, Shalimar, FL 32579.www.murphyfuneralhomes.com

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Published by The Washington Post on Jan. 21, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for GEORGE McKEE

8 Entries

Houston Terry Hawkins, Colonel USAF Retired

February 17, 2015

My father, the Reverend Thomas Houston Hawkins , and General McKee were first cousins. On one of his visits to our home in Northern Vitginia, I accompanied my dad to visit Gereral McKee at the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home. I will never forget his gratiousness and the extraordinary improvements and care that he had demonstrated in sustaining and improving this historical site.

1855 Stevens & Jewett organ in Stanley Chapel at the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home

George Wellman

February 11, 2015

General and Mrs. McKee located an 1855 Stevens & Jewett organ and had it installed in Stanley Chapel at the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home, Washington, DC. Our musician plays the organ weekly for our Protestant service and for special programs at the chapel. Every time I hear melodies from it, I think of General McKee. The residents of the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home salute you!

Doris Delano Montgomery

January 29, 2015

I worked in the Administration Building when General McKee was Governor of the USSAH and where he had his office. I have never known a more perfect gentleman who never passed you by without speaking or acknowledging you. I don't think there were any employees he did not know by name. His major concern was for the well-being of the residents and employees of the USSAH. He would listen to their concerns with great care. I am saddened by his passing; he will be greatly missed.

One of eight stained glass windows in Stanley Chapel

George Wellman

January 29, 2015

A farewell would not be compete without mentioning the stained glass windows at Stanley Chapel at the Soldiers' Home, Washington, DC. The General and Mrs. McKee were responsible for the eight windows that are in the chapel. God bless this family!

Gwendolyn Hendly

January 28, 2015

As a resident of The Armed Forces Retirement Home and member of Stanley Chapel I have admired General McKee for years. We are truly grateful for all the things he has done for our home and Stanley Chapel. Things that have truly enriched our lives here. Also grateful for the visits to Stanley Chapel when he could come. We will miss him.

John Hoyda

January 21, 2015

I regret the passing of someone for whom I have great respect and have known for more than 50 years. I am glad Mary Jane and I were able to see him not long ago.

Clinton Helton

January 21, 2015

As one of his chaplains at the Armed Forces Retirement Home, I remember how important General McKee considered the religious program. He and Nikki were regular participants and promoters. He spoke to us all of being prepared for that final transfer, which he has just made. Residents followed him to church. If it is important to him, maybe it really is to us also.

He made concerted efforts to enhance Stanley Hall for worshipers. An Air Force base was closing which had beautiful stained glass windows. He arranged to have some of them installed at Stanley. With his encouragement, we located an historic tracker organ without a home and he made it possible for us to acquire it by supplementing the funds which residents had raised. The wonderful sounds of these organ pipes in the acoustics of Stanley Hall were a glorious addition to our worship services.

To chaplains and residents he was a friend. The Home was his calling.

Chaplain Clinton Helton
Silver Spring, MD

January 21, 2015

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