Dear Barbara and Family,

I extend my deepest condolences to you in a loss I know is profound.  Ed was my first professor in the counseling program at JMU, and one of the reasons I decided to continue in the pursuit of a counseling degree.  Today, as I was sitting in the counseling office, Ed’s face -- his twinkling eyes and sly smile -- were visited upon me as I started to tell a story of outrage about a wrong I endured.  I remembered Ed telling the story of someone sharing with him their shock and dismay about what another person had done to them during the holiday season.  He said the person told the story as if it were unbelievable and unprecedented, as if the behavior had never been witnessed before, though the behavior was not new, and in fact, could be relied on to occur with this person every holiday.  Ed was smiling fondly, and making a point about the tendency in human nature to relive old hurts as if they were being inflicted for the first time.  I found myself going down this road today, and recalling Ed’s gentle and compassionate observation raised my awareness in a way that allowed me to laugh.  Thank you, Ed!  You were not a repeater.  You brought something fresh and unexpected to every class, and offered me a new way to experience myself in the world.  I will cherish this and other memories of your invaluable guidance as I continue in my counseling career.


Barbara, I just learned today in talking with Eileen that Ed had died recently.  I don't know how I missed seeing his obituary since  I always look at those in the newspaper.  I want to express my sympathy to you and your family.  Ed was always a delight to be around, and I know it's an understatement to say you miss him.  I am so sorry that he was a victim of cancer.  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

We remember Ed as a outstanding educator, inquisitive and gentle man, and inspiration to many students and colleagues. May his memory provide you and family comfort.

Barbara, my deepest sympathies go to you and your family.   I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers. 
Sincerely,
Karen 

Barbara, our deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family over your loss. Memories of Ed cover many wonderful years. He will be dearly missed.

Sending you our love,
Don and Val Harter



I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity to have had Ed as the professor of my first class in the Counselor Education Program at JMU.  I learned so much from him and felt his influence on my career from the first day I met him. When I think of him I think of humor, intelligence, enthusiasm, compassion, and dedication to his craft.  He was a gifted educator and he will be missed.  I extend my sincere sympathy to his family and friends...

To the McKee Family:

We fondly remember Ed and his funny stories. From his philosophical viewpoints to his logical opinions, he was always up front and a joy to be around. Though he strayed far from his "Argentine" roots, he never forgot his friends. We will miss him! We will always honor him! His passing leaves a huge void.

Our condolences to Barbara and all the family.

Jerry and Jodie Van Meter 

I'm sending love to you all during this time. Ed was a much beloved man and had such a memorable and important presence. His lessons, support, and encouragement have been vital to so many of his students and colleagues, and his legacy continues to thrive in so many ways. 
In deepest sympathy, 
Renee

I have such warm, uplifting memories of Ed as an appreciator of our jazz music at the Dayton Tavern on the many Tuesday evenings he came with Barbara to listen, dine, and socialize with friends.  He was ever lively, 
enthusiastic, and positive.  We always invited him to join us as a percussionist on a number or two but he ever so humbly (and with good humor) declined.  

I knew of Ed as a top-notch professor, counselor, and psychologist but it was at The Tavern in Dayton that I first got to know him personally.  I will miss him very much and he will be in my memory when we play.

My deepest condolences to you, Barbara, and the whole family.  

Barb and family, 
Ed will certainly be missed by many.  For me, his lasting memory is that of having provided thousands of JMU students in psychology, counseling and humor to go out into the world and make it a better place by helping our fellow man/woman.  He was a great guy and a super professor.  My sympathy go out to Barb and the McKee family.

Steve Smith

Ed was a good friend and colleague for the years we both were at JMU.  He contributed greatly to the Department of Psychology and the profession of Counseling.  By imparting quality counseling skills to hundreds of students who in turn will use those skills with their clients, his contributions to the mental health of our country lives on.  Barb, my heartfelt condolences to you and your family.   

So sorry to hear of the passing of  your husband, Barbara.  May God grant you peace and wonderful memories of a long marriage to Ed.



Dear Barbara,
I will always remember being around Ed. Fine conversations and funny stories.
I wish I had bet money on the race horse he and Carl owned .  
Robin and Sheryl grew up together and remain best friends.
I'm sure they learned to care for one another from you and Ed.

So Sorry for your loss,

Gene Harper

Knowing and working with  Ed for over 30 years, days were full of  his incisive wit and laughter.   Ed and his colleagues developed one of the best counseling programs in the county.  His impact on our JMU Counseling students has been exponential, spreading the philosophy, techniques, and understanding to many others.  He embodied the spirit and quality of these ideas and methods in his everyday life.  He was truly a unique and outstanding individual and is greatly missed.  

Having fortune enough to know this remarkable person, I wished to write something to Ed’s memory.  This is probably the last thing Ed would want me to do.    He critiqued my writing enough for me to know where my talents lie.. or didn’t (or is that lay?).  Even now, I can envision his red marker quaking at the prospect of editing this piece.  But Ed had a great sense of humor, and I know he’s laughing about this now.  I really was fortunate to have called Ed my friend.  It seemed to me that he was talented in everything he did.  I learned a lot from him.  He enriched the lives of people he came into contact, and I certainly was no exception.  I will greatly miss him.  Rest in peace, friend.

I had an opportunity to care for Mr McKee while he was a patient at our hospital.  He wrote a positive note about that experience to my supervisor.  He shared that with me at one of our wine socials at his home.   I was so moved by his kindness and support.   I will remember that moment.  As I've read other thoughts written about him, I see his kind spirit was well known.  Our prayers to the McKee family for peace and comfort.

I have fond memories of Ed playing drums with the patients in the memory care unit at Brookdale where my husband was a patient. Ed arranged for all the patients to have drums and to have his JMU students help them. Most stayed engaged, but what we all looked forward to was Ed playing "She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain" when he played music for us to sing along with. I will always remember how we loved singing that song.  We sang it over and over. Ed brought shimmering light into the lives of these patients. 

Dr. McKee granted me the opportunity to participate in one of his courses at JMU through a high school enrichment program. 

His pedagogy and approach to counseling  was insightful, formative, and a true gift — as was working with him during a summer in his wood shop. 

Deepest condolences to his family...





Barb, So sorry for your loss.  Please give Eric and Robin my sincere sympathy for the loss of their Father. 
Ed was a fine man who gave a lot to all of us.
Blessings, Nancy Myers

I remember Ed's quick as lightening wit and unique sense of humor. My experience of him as one of his students was that he made learning fun, at the same time challenging. His creativity was inspirational and his compassion for others was moving. He touched the lives of many others. I wish his family peace and condolences. 

Ed often offered a humorous interpretation to psychology department challenges. His viewpoint gave fellow faculty  a unique perspective and welcome relief from too-serious discussion. He got everyone off-track and then then back on-track with renewed good will. A genius technique for re-focusing others when discussion was going in circles. I'm sorry we are out of town and not able to join the family on March 9th. My thoughts will be with you. Ed had great influence and impact on many students. His work will live on in the service of those he taught. He will be missed by many. 

OBITUARY

Dr. John Edson McKee

May 27, 1941 – February 28, 2019

Lindsey Funeral Homes

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