He was born March 16, 1936, to William McKee and Dorothy Stevens McKee in Michigan City, Indiana.
He was exceptionally talented as a musician from a young age beginning as a boy soprano and then moving on to other instruments. He was most accomplished playing the double bass and played jazz in big bands around the United States including Las Vegas as well as playing in small groups throughout his life. He served in the United States Army playing the baritone saxophone in the 7th Army Band in Germany.
After completing his military service, he attended The American Conservatory in Chicago, IL. He played the double bass in community orchestras for over 20 years. He was very creative in repairing band and string musical instruments including at the Eastman School of Music. In the past twenty years, he provided a wonderful service to young music students in our area in making quick repairs to their instruments at a reasonable price. He was also an avid reader and loved his nightly vodka martini!
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Eileen McKee Hoover; his nephew, William Zilla; his great-niece, Brittany Curcio and his step-daughter, Juliet Mowrey.
He is survived by his wife of 44+ years, Mary Flowers Mowrey-McKee; three children, Kevin (Beth) McKee, William (significant other Leigh Barry) McKee, Kathleen (Eric) Beard and step-daughters, Elisabeth Mowrey and Susan Mowrey (William) Sessoms. Also, thirteen grandchildren: Kelly McKee (Eric) Kubiak, Sean McKee, Casey (Jenna) McKee, Roger (Stephanie) Cole, Kailee (Brendan) Stephenson, Alissa McKee, Sarah McKee, Alex Beard, Ian Beard, Oriana (Jerreht) Harris, Ryan Flowers, Caroline Sessoms, and Isabella Sessoms; nine great-grandchildren, and a niece, Starlene Moore Gangitano and her daughters, Baylee, Giavanna, and Gabriella. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Thomas (Connie) Flowers, and a niece, Anne Katharine (Mark) Caswell and nephew, Andrew (Gretchen) Flowers.
He will be very much missed by his fat cat, Jim Bob.
We want to thank Amedisys hospice for the compassion and care they provided in his last days with special thanks to Tiffany Powell and Shamika Jackson for their amazing care.
A memorial service honoring Mac will be held on June 23, 2022 at 1:00 PM at Roswell Funeral Home.
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