I was lucky to be able to talk with you a few weeks ago, Kenny. You were as up-beat as always.I reminded you then how you and Bill pulled certain (unnamed) pranks on other family members. Yes, Kenny, you'll surely be missed. I do wish I could have seen you. I just know a fair wind is at your back now. Take it easy. Love, Uncle Bob and Aunt Marianne.

When Kenny's brother Mike moved in across the street from my house I had doubts that he could rebuild the fire damaged home.  I would come to learn that underestimating the resolve and strength of the McRee brothers was a mistake of mine.  

I got to know the family well over the years and worked with Mike, Danny, Bill, and Kenny on carpentry projects for many years.  Kenny in particular was a good man to have around when heavy lifting was needed.  His strength and courage was inspiring in many ways to a lot of people.

After the accident that crushed his spine I visited him in the rehab hospital on the southside.  It was a hard time for Kenny as he came to grips with what had happened.  Those weren't my best days either as I just kept getting myself further and further in trouble with drinking and drugging.  I drove down one Friday night to Kenny's with my 4 year old son in my pick up and was pretty smashed by the time we finished having a "few" beers that I snuck up to Kenny's room.  Next time I saw Kenny he called me out, saying plainly it wasn't right of me to drink too much and drive with my kid in the car.  That was the kind of friend Kenny was-- to care enough to tell me I was doing wrong.  Not many friends will have that kind of strength.

A year or so later I had gotten to the end of my rope with drinking and was determined to try and straighten up.  But I'd still go over to Kenny's to sit around with the boys-- always lots of fun over at Kenny's.  But it was hard to be around guys having a beer after work if I wasn't drinking anymore--and Kenny could tell I was not too comfortable.  He wheeled his chair out with me to the parking lot when I said I had to go. He told me that if I really wanted to straighten up that coming around where the fellas were drinking wasn't gonna work for me. Again Kenny was strong enough to tell me the truth.

Of course I was feeling sorry for myself on the way home.  When I got in the door the wife asked where in the heck I had been and that the phone had wrung off the wall from Kenny McRee and to call him back right now.  

My friend Kenny called me to say that he and I would find time to get together when we could both just have a Coke.  He was close enough to me to know what I needed the most.  I did need to stop doing the things that were dragging me down.  And I needed a true friend.  

Kenny endows each of us with the strength and compassion he lived each day of his life with.  His gifts to us are with us now.  I am grateful for his friendship.

There is a passage in Wallace Stegner's book Angle of Repose that has comforted me at times of great loss.  These works speak to all of us when we are confronted with the dying of someone we care deeply for:

Do you ever imagine how death may be?
I do.  I think of it as dusky and warm on a summer's eve in a room with a view to the out of doors, through which blows a soft breeze as cool as if it blew off the stars.  In the doorway will appear at any moment the faces that we have wholly loved. Their dear voices chant this blessing-- 
We love you Kenny
We forgive you
We are grateful for your life

Into a heaven such as this, a heaven of God's love and forgiveness, each of us can offer up Kenny's life and strength.

Kenny "Mac" ~Even though I just met You and Your Great Family...Thanks for creating memorable moments and Great conversation.  We Always had a Laugh....  Your Amazing Energy will Never be forgotten.  May You Rest in Peace

Matt Wyss (IN)

If the measure of a man is in the legacy he leaves behind, then Kenny Mac was a giant.  He leaves behind one of the best people I know to carry his name. My thoughts and love and prayers are with you.

Kenny and I lost track of one another a few years after high school.  We were very good friends and I am very sad to hear of his passing.

OBITUARY

Kenneth Lee McRee

25 June, 1950 – 21 February, 2011

Feeney-Hornak Keystone Mortuary

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