Raymond L. McKee Sr.

A man of integrity, compassion, and devotion to God, family and country, Raymond Lee McKee Sr. passed away peacefully at home on September 14 surrounded by family. He was born on October 23, 1922, in Glen Flora, Texas, to Ola Mae Kyle and George McKee.

Ray lived a very full life in his 92 years. At Brady High School he served as Captain of the football team and later married the love of his life, LaVerne Stindt, who was Brady High’s Football Queen and Valedictorian. LaVerne and Ray had been married for 56 years when she preceded him in death in 2002.

Ray was offered an athletic scholarship to the University of Texas at Austin, but he and his buddies chose to first fight for their country after learning of the bombing at Pearl Harbor. Ray served as a bombardier and 1st Lt. in the Army Air Force when his B-17 was shot down in the Italian Alps on March 18, 1944. German SS Troops captured, tortured and interrogated Ray. After taking him to Gestapo headquarters, a judge sentenced him to death by firing squad. Ray never knew why the SS did not shoot him but rather took him on trains to Stammlager Luft Eine near Barth, Germany. He narrowly escaped death several times, such as when the SS would leave prisoners out in the open during American bombing missions in Germany. He remained in the prison camp until the end of the war, well over a year later. Like many of his Greatest Generation, he was profoundly affected by the war. Ray served honorably, loved his country, and risked his life to help his comrades in arms. He was awarded the Purple Heart.

After the war Ray married LaVerne and enrolled at the University of Texas where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in geology. He worked for Pure Oil Company for years but declined the Regional Manager position in order to set out on his own. For decades he ran his own small company in oil, gas and mineral exploration. Along the way Ray and LaVerne had five children, six grandchildren, and one great grandson who were so cherished. Ray modeled a strong work ethic, perseverance, loyalty, kindness, compassion, honesty, and unconditional love for his children and grandchildren, all of whom admired and adored him. The grandchildren have lost one of their greatest fans at their sporting events. Ray had a heart of gold, loved to make people laugh, and shared his huge smile and passion for life with family and friends. He will be sorely missed.

Ray leaves to mourn his five children, Raymond Lee McKee Jr of Austin, Walter Stindt McKee and wife Pam of Houston, Anna McKee Ashworth and husband Russell, Diane Alvarez and husband Adelbert, and Roxanne McKee and husband Jerry Speitel, all of Austin; grandchildren, Mason, Eric, Ryan, Kevin, Hilary, and Matthew; great grandchild, Brodie; and, sister, Vera Hunt of Dallas. He also leaves to mourn his former stepgrandchildren, Buck Wheeler and wife Lalise of Arlington, Eric Wheeler and wife Kim of Arlington, and their mother and children, Teri, Taylor, Stone, Preston, Ivan, Bethany, and Jessica.

Raymond left a giant footprint on this earth.