Fayette resident Don McKee, age 92, passed away at the Lodge on May 2, 2024.

Don Allen McKee was born in Rocheport, Howard Co., Missouri, on October 9, 1931, a son to the late Grover Benton and Mary Bessie (Spilman) McKee. He attended grade school at Union School and graduated from Fayette High School with the class of 1949. Don proudly served his country during the Korean War, where he earned the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged in October of 1954 and continued his service in the Army Reserves for six more years. On top of farming and raising livestock, Don worked for the road maintenance crew for the Missouri Dept. of Transportation. He worked for MoDot for 32 years until his retirement. In his spare time, Don was involved in saddle clubs and enjoyed trail riding. Don also loved to dance. He was thorough with everything he did and truly took pride in his Cedar Valley farm. Cedar Valley is a centennial farm and has been in the McKee family for generations.

Survivors include his two daughters, Teresa “Tweeta” McKee of Fayette and Donna (Brad) Boulden of Montrose, CO; four grandchildren, Paden (Karissa) Boulden, Ethan (Annie) Boulden, Cauy Boulden and Macy Boulden; five great-grandchildren, Rial, Asa, Rhett, Easton and Braxton; and former spouse, Judy Busker. In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by two former spouses, Mary Jean Conrow and Shirley Flaspohler.  

A funeral service honoring the life of Don McKee was held at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 5, 2024, at Friemonth-Freese Funeral Home in Fayette, with Bart Ballew and John Spilman officiating. Visitation was an hour before the service starting at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Full Military honors were at the funeral home following the service. Interment will be held privately at Big Spring Cemetery in Rocheport.

Memorials are suggested to Big Spring Cemetery c/o Friemonth-Freese Funeral Service, 174 Hwy. 5 & 240 N., Fayette, MO 65248.