January 18, 2014
Tulsa, OK
Thomas Edwin McKee, Ed.D. Thomas Edwin McKee, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, January 18, 2014. He was 87 years old. Thomas was born on January 17, 1927 in Tulsa, OK to Charles and Estelle McKee. He graduated from Marquette High School and spent a semester at the University of Tulsa before enlisting in the Navy in 1945. He received an honorable discharge in 1946 and returned to school, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy in 1950, a Bachelor of Sacred Theology degree in 1954, and a Masters of Religious Education in 1955 from Maryknoll Seminary.
Thomas's work reflected his deep compassion and a strong commitment to service and social justice. He dedicated himself to missionary work in Korea through Maryknoll for twelve years. In 1967 he moved to Honolulu, Hawaii, and married Annetta Chung. He and Annetta later moved to Tulsa, OK where he worked at the Children's Medical Center before finishing a doctorate in education at the University of Tulsa. He founded the Christopher Youth Center in 1980, an inpatient psychiatric treatment center for boys. He directed the CYC until his retirement in 2002. He then continued his support of various social, political, and religious causes, especially through his volunteer work at the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He also devoted himself to his family and his passion for reading.
Thomas is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Gertrude LoVoi. He is survived by his wife; his daughters, Estelle (and Steve Paling), Annette (and Michael Mariani), and Maureen; his grandchildren, Thomas and Matthew Mariani, Lucas and Ella Paling, and Amias McKee; and his brothers and sisters, Calvin (and Patti), Margery Kelley, Nancy McKee, Patrick (and Sally) McKee, and Mae Brandenburg; and many nephews and nieces. He was an anchor for us, and we will miss him greatly. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the national Catholic Relief Services, 228 W. Lexington St. Baltimore, Maryland 21201 (www.crs.org). Visitation will be held Tuesday, January 21, 2014 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. followed by a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. both at Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at Church of the Resurrection.
January 18, 2014