James Robert McKee

Our beloved husband, father, grandpa, brother, uncle, and friend passed away on Sunday, February 25, 2024 at the age of 80 years.

Bob was born on July 21, 1943 to John Robert McKee and Hazel Beatrice (née Palmer) in Kansas City, Kansas. He was one of four boys. He graduated from Leon High School with the Class of 1961 and enlisted in the United States Navy on August 26th of that same year. His designated specialty was Engineman and he excelled in his craft. He served aboard the USS DEHAVEN, USS LOWE, USS L.F. MASON, USS GRAY and with US Coastal Group 34. Known to his shipmates as “Mac”, Bob served several combat tours in Vietnam, both at sea and ashore. He retired in 1981 after 20 years of honorable service having earned the following awards:

Navy Achievement Medal w/Combat Device; Combat Action Ribbon; Good Conduct Awards(4); National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon; Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross); Vietnam Campaign Medal

He went on to work for Hawthorne Machinery Company for several years and enjoyed working on Caterpillar Diesel Engines.

Bob met his wife, Josefina (née Rodriguez) during his deployment to the Philippines. Together they had four children. They made their home in San Diego, California and lived there for over 55 years. Bob’s greatest pleasure was being with family and he loved every moment they could all get together. He was a Master “Uno” card player and relished those teachable moments he was able to display his high level skills (which may or may not have included hiding cards up his sleeve or in a pocket) to his grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He loved to sing his own rendition of “There’s a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea” and used it to rock every grandchild and great grandchild to sleep at least once. His sense of humor was infectious and his presence always brightened the room at any event. Bob took joy in gardening and could grow anything, even in the smallest of spaces. He had a talent for cooking and enjoyed preparing the Thanksgiving turkey every year. Bob began everyday in prayer with his sweetheart, reciting the rosary and other prayerful devotions. He was a good and honorable man. He was brave, strong, hard working and honest, a peacemaker and patriot, loyal, faithful, loving, devoted, kind, resourceful, and humble.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, two of his brothers, George Thomas, and Theodore, his son Joseph who died in infancy and his daughter Josephine who died July 31, 2022.

He is survived by his wife Josefina, his daughter Maria Beatrice and her husband George Malkasian, his son James Robert “Bobby” McKee, Jr and his wife Ilse, his grandchildren, Mitchell Holbert and his wife Jill, Joseph Malkasian, Ysabel Malkasian, Layla McKee, Lennon McKee, and Leon McKee, his great grandchildren Harper, Reagan, Sadie, and Finan, his brother Paul Richard and his wife Barbara, and many loved nieces and nephews.

Bob has left us with so many great stories, jokes, songs, expressions, recipes and wonderful memories to cherish. He will be lovingly and fondly remembered and so dearly missed.

Visitation and Rosary will be held on Thursday, March 14, 4pm-8pm at El Camino Memorial, 5600 Carroll Canyon Road, San Diego CA 92121

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, March 15, 2024, 10:00am at Good Shepherd Parish Catholic Church, 8200 Gold Coast Drive, San Diego CA 92126

Graveside Committal following Mass will be at 11:30am at El Camino Memorial Park, 5600 Carroll Canyon Road, San Diego, CA 92121

For those unable to attend, the Funeral Mass will be live-streamed (good shepherd parish.net)

The Visitation and Graveside Committal will be privately live-streamed for family. Please contact the family for details.