Jess T. McKee

McKee, Jess T., Jr. (84) went to be with Jesus on January 31, 2017. He died at Tampa General Hospital from a toxic reaction called Amiodarone Pulmonary Toxicity, after being hospitalized for over 5 weeks. He fought a long, hard battle and lost. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sheri; his two daughters, Tamra (Greg) and Lori (Terry), and his granddaughter, Brittani. He is also survived by his nephew, Ronald (Connie). Jess served during the Korean Conflict in the U. S. Army, assigned as a part of the Greek Expeditionary Force. He was awarded a Bronze Star. He retired after 30 years from IBM – Boca Raton, where he was a Programmer. In retirement he volunteered as a Ranger on the City of Boca Raton Golf Course; then worked 5 years in the Mail Room at the City of Boca Raton. He loved people and they loved him. Jess attended college on the G.I. Bill at Arlington State College (later renamed University of Texas at Arlington) and Texas A&M. In 2009, Jess and Sheri moved to the Tampa Bay area, where both his daughters now live. He enjoyed being a Rays fan from his chair in front of the TV. As a kid he pitched Fast Pitch Softball. After the truce was signed in Korea, he pitched for his Army Division, and when he returned from the Army he pitched for a church team in Dallas with high school friends, winning several awards. Baseball was his sport. Jess was born in Louisiana, moving to Dallas, Texas, as a toddler. He was the son of Grace and Jesse Thomas McKee. He is predeceased by his parents and siblings, Leland and Mildred, and his nephew, Tom. He graduated from Adamson High School in Dallas, Texas. He got great pleasure from his email contacts with friends from his past including grade school (James Bowie) and high school. He has written about his childhood memories which included family, neighbors and school mates through the years for his daughters. To him history should not be forgotten. This was a man who loved nature. He loved nothing more than sitting at his computer, looking out the window at the little lake with all its wild birds, taking pictures when he saw a duck swimming by or a Sand Hill Crane couple with one or two babies. God made all these creatures for humans to enjoy, and certainly Jess McKee did. A memorial service will be held at Florida Mortuary, 4601 N. Nebraska, Tampa, FL 33603 on 2/7/17 at 2:00 PM. Interment will take place on a later date at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL. In lieu of flowers, we suggest your consideration of Salvation Army, Tampa, FL or Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, CO. Words of comfort may be expressed for Jess' family by clicking on the “Share a Memory” link below.