Stuart Webb McKee

1957-2006 STUART WEBB McKEE, a long-time member of the Houston area medical community, died Feb. 24, after a nearly 20-year struggle with cancer. He was 48. McKee began work as a heart perfusionist with Allied Cardiac Services in 1982 and was later a perfusion services manager for Fresenius Medical Services. Despite a battle with cancer that began in 1987, McKee continued to work until late last year. When Hurricane Katrina threatened the Houston area in September, he volunteered for duty at St Joseph's Hospital. "Stuart was like that," said Mark Haynes, a college friend. "You could always count on him, no matter what." McKee was devoted to his wife, Angela Marie McKee, and their son, Thomas Edward. He was never happier than when watching a game played by his son's little league baseball team. An avid biker and skier, he maintained close ties with family and friends in his native Kentucky and was a lifelong University of Kentucky basketball fan. His ashes will be taken to the Cathedral Domain, an Episcopal Church youth camp in the Kentucky mountains, which McKee attended and where he later worked as a counselor. Said one of his many friends on learning his death, "A light has gone out of our lives." Born Dec. 11, 1957 to Dr. and Mrs. William Thomas McKee in Ashland, Ky., McKee was a 1975 graduate of Paul G. Blazer High School, Ashland. After earning a bachelor's degree in 1980 at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Ky., McKee graduated from Houston's Perfusion Associates Training Program. He completed his post-graduate studies at Children's Hospital, Toronto, Canada. As well as his wife and son, survivors include his mother, Patricia McKee Cochran; sister, Suzanne McKee Stewart; stepbrothers, Randall B. Cochran and Stephen W. Cochran; stepsister, Jann C. Beard; uncles, E.J. Donnelly, II and K.C. Donnelly; nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father and elder brother, William Thomas McKee, Jr. McKee's family and friends wish to give their warmest thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff of Methodist Hospital, Houston and the Baylor Clinic for their care and support. A celebration of his life will be held at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 W. Broadway, Pearland, Texas, Tues, Feb. 28, 7 p.m., and Calvary Episcopal Church, 1337 Winchester Avenue, Ashland, Ky., Mon, March 6, 5 p.m. Memorial contributions should be given to the American Cancer Society.