George R. McKee Jr.

Captain George R. McKee, Jr., US Navy, Retired, 95, of Greenwood, SC., husband of the late Patricia Helms McKee, died Sunday, August 24, 2025, at his residence. He was born on May 2, 1930, in Shepherdstown, WV to the late George R. and Maud L. Painter McKee, Sr.

Mr. McKee attended local schools in Shepherdstown and spent two years at Shepherd College before entering the United States Naval Academy in 1950. It was at the academy that he met Patricia, the love of his life, and they wed in 1955. He proudly graduated from the Naval Academy in 1954 and dedicated 30 years of service to the U.S. Navy. Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. McKee served aboard five ships stationed on the East Coast and completed six deployments to the Mediterranean Sea. His first command was of the USS Claud Jones (DE-1033), home ported in Pearl Harbor, HI, followed by commands of the USS Laffey (DD-724) in Alexandria, VA, and Commander of Destroyer Squadron None in San Diego, CA. Notably, the USS Laffey is now part of the Patriots Point Naval Museum in Charleston, SC.

Mr. McKee's extensive shore duties took him to various significant locations, where he served as an instructor at the Naval Academy, Executive Officer at the Nuclear Power Training Unit in Idaho Falls, ID, and in various roles including Military Assistant in Vietnam, on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon, and as the Commanding Officer of the Naval Reserve Center in Miami, FL.

His commitment to excellence was recognized through numerous awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, the Joint Services Commendation Medal with Oak Cluster, the Navy Commendation Medal, and the Meritorious Unit Citation awarded to the USS Claud Jones.

After retiring from the Navy in February 1984, Mr. McKee transitioned to a successful career as an Account Executive at Dean Witter Reynolds in Alexandria, VA, ultimately becoming Associate Vice-President of Investments, before retiring after 12 years. Following his retirement, he and his wife moved to Savannah Lakes Village in McCormick, SC, where Mr. McKee engaged actively in local organizations, including Helping Hands Food Pantry, the McCormick Arts Council, and the County Commission, while enjoying tennis and golf. In January 2013, the couple relocated to Wesley Commons Community in Greenwood.

Mr. McKee is survived by his devoted daughters, Pam J. Coan and her husband Ed of Alexandria, VA, and Melida G. McKee of Roanoke, VA; his cherished granddaughters, Bethany Coan and her husband Alex Kazanas, and Cierra Coan; and a special great-grandson, Milo Coan Kazanas.

A service to celebrate Mr. McKee's life will be Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 10:30 AM in Asbury Hall, Wesley Commons, 1110 Marshall Road, Greenwood, SC 29646. Inurnment will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Shepherdstown, WV with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions, in honor of Mr. McKee, can be made to Humane Society of Greenwood, 2820 Airport Rd, Greenwood, SC 29649 or Hospice & Palliative Care of the Piedmont, 408 W Alexander Ave, Greenwood, SC, 29646

A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com

Harris Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Abbeville is assisting the McKee family.