Pat Mckee
(May 17, 1956 - September 13, 2012)

A truly wonderful man has gone to heaven. William Patrick McKee, "Pat", 56, of Huntington, WV, died Thursday, September 13, 2012. Pat was born May 17, 1956 in Huntington, WV, a son of the late Harold McDole McKee and Betty Napier McKee. He was the beloved husband of Jane Eastham McKee, his wife of 32 years. He was the proud father of Andrew Jordan McKee along with his wife, Tiffany, whom he truly considered his daughter. He was the proud "PawPaw" of 3 granddaughters, who were the lights of his life, Emilee Elizabeth, Addison Jo, and Kelsey Ann McKee. He is also survived by his dear sister and brother-in-law, Talma and John of Chesapeake, VA whom he treasured and so enjoyed visiting with. Additional family include Karen and Russ Rucker of Huntington, Leigh Ann and Len Eplin of Barboursville; his nephews and niece, Matthew Butcher of Norfolk, VA, Ford and Cole Rucker of Huntington, Sam and Abigail Eplin of Barboursville. He is also survived by his giant dog, Gracie Analise, who was lovingly named by his oldest granddaughter who helped PawPaw with lots of things.

Pat was a past member of Tucker Memorial Baptist Church, where he attended as a young child, and was baptized and married there. He had so many happy memories of his times at Tucker Memorial. His love of music flourished there, as well as setting the stage for his involvement in Campus Crusade during his college years. Pat was a man of many interests and talents. He was an educator, photographer, biologist, herpetologist, singer, guitarist, artist, Marshall sports enthusiast and lover of all things icky, slimy, smelly, messy and generally gross in nature and the scientific realm. He was a member of the Huntington High School Class of 1974 where he sang in the Glee Club, ran track and was a proud member of Jim Ward's Pony Express basketball team. Pat worked summers and holidays at Huntington Piping as a painter alongside his Dad, at first to earn money to attend Marshall University, and later through the years, even after he was employed as a teacher. He loved working with his father. He attended Marshall University, where he was a member of the Marshall basketball team and was very active in the Campus Crusade and Athletes in Action ministry, graduating in 1978.

Pat began his 34 year career with the Cabell County Board of Education at West Junior High School, where he had himself attended. It was there that his love of sports led to his first involvement in the coaching experience and many wonderful years as both an instructor and a coach with his students. Through the years, he was a coach or assistant coach for girls softball, girls track, and girls and boys basketball at both West and Huntington High School. From 1989 to 2002, he was the head boys basketball coach at Huntington High. Pat always tried to be fair, always gave 100% to the teams he coached and always endeavored to do what was best for the team. Pat also created the Herpetology Lab at Huntington High School. Originally housed within an old broom closet in the old Huntington High building on 8th Street, that he cleaned and renovated at nights and on the weekends, it moved with the school to its new location, where it still exists today, much to the delight of Mr. McKee's students. He was also the current Chair of the Science Department at Huntington High and was honored in 2010 with the WV Biology Teacher of the Year award. He conducted many technology, science, and photography training sessions for Cabell County faculty and staff alongside friends Dennis Adkins, Brian Cordle, and Steve Beckelheimer.. Pat was also an adjunct faculty member of the Marshall University College of Science, a consultant to the June Harless STEM Center, and a site coordinator for the Shewey Science Academy in Mingo County. He also made time to share his great love for photography with many in the community through his photography classes. He enjoyed them greatly, they were very popular and well-attended within the Tri-State area. He also maintained memberships in the Cabell County CEA, WVEA, NEA, ISTE, Ohio Valley Camera Club and the National Association of Photoshop Professionals.

As this chapter of Pat's life closes, his family has no doubt that Pat is in Heaven, running again, on legs that no longer hurt, perhaps looking for the best angle on a shot of a beautiful heavenly vista, to share with us. Visitation will be on Sunday, September 16th from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m. and Monday, September 17th from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m. at Reger Funeral Home, 1242 Adams Avenue. Funeral services will be on Monday, September 17, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. at Reger Funeral Chapel with Rev. Hugh Summers and Dr. Stan Maynard officiating. Burial will be at Docks Creek Cemetery, Maple Hill section, Kenova.