LTC (Ret) Thomas John Kee, III

Graveside services with military honors will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Thursday, March 11, 2010 in Parkhill Cemetery according to Striffler-Hamby Mortuary Chapel, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, GA 31907. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00P.M. this evening, Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at the funeral home.

LTC (Ret) Kee was born July 30, 1955 in Malden, MA son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas John Kee. Jr. (Carol) He enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1974 and was accepted to West Point Military Academy where he graduated in 1979. He served his country honorably for 33 years and retired in July 2007. During his military career, he served as a Master Army Aviator with assignments in Korea, Germany, Turkey, Alaska, Virginia, Kansas, Georgia and Iraq. In Virginia he was assigned to the White House as an aide to President Regan. While stationed in Alaska, in conjunction with his military duties, he served as a volunteer fire fighter with the North Pole Fire Department. In Kansas, he was the Inspector General at Ft. Leavenworth and in Georgia he served as Chief of Staff for the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation at Ft. Benning. While serving in Iraq, LTC (Ret) Kee was a liaison to NATO and was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He also received the Legion of Merit twice, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and many more Commendations. He was an avid motorcyclist with membership in the Patriot Guard, the Harley Davidson Hog Group, and the Costal Riders in Massachusetts. After retirement, he taught as the Senior Army Instructor for the Harris County High School JROTC Department for 3 years. During this period, his JROTC students won the Honor Unit of Distinction Award. He was also honored by receiving the Silver Award for outstanding leadership. Several years in a row, he distinguished himself by leading the cadets to first place victories in the regional championship for both drill and color guard teams.

LTC (Ret) Kee was preceded in death by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William Falconer and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas John Kee, Sr., his father, Thomas John Kee, Jr., his brother-in-law, Bill Gannon, and two faithful and beloved dogs, K.C. and Harley.

He is survived by his loving wife, Cissie Gannon Kee of Hamilton, GA, his mother, Carol Kee of Ashland, MA, his Brothers, Bill Kee of Northbridge, MA and Robert Kee of Ashland, MA; his Sister, Sharon Kee of Ashland, MA; two nieces, Lynn Marie and Amanda Kee of MA; two Great-nieces, Ayla and Bailey of MA: Father and Mother-in-law, Ed and Betty Gannon of Phenix City, AL; Sister-in-law, Jane Gannon; Step-Son, Jamie Gannon; two nephews, Josh and Jon Gannon; special friends of the family, Paul and Barbara Humber of Martha’s Vineyard, MA and Mr. and Mrs. John Moulton of Franklin, TN; all of his students in JROTC and many other special friends.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in his memory to the Harris County High School, Relay for Life, at HCHS, ATTN: Nikki Rolison, 8281 GA Hwy 116, Hamilton, GA 31808.