Jan. 11, 1932 - June 7, 2012

Robert M. McKee, 80, of Huntsville, passed away Thursday. After serving in the Korean Conflict, Robert attended Auburn University and graduated with a Bachelor's degree and Master's in Education. He served as assistant football coach to Shug Jordan. He joined the Special Forces, and served as commander of 20th Group and retired as a colonel. He coached and taught for years, and wrote a column for the Huntsville Times on camping. Robert was involved in various civic organizations.

He was preceded in death by his father, Edward Lee Pate, mother, Mary Christine McKee, son, Mark McKee, grandson, Hufton McKee Saylor, granddaughter, Jordan McKee and sister, Covey Maples.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Jean McKee; daughter, Cynthia Lynne McKee Saylor; son, Tiger McKee; granddaughter, Brandy Saylor Parker; great-grandchildren, Sarah Bolding Parker, Hufton McKee Parker, and Saylor Belle Parker.

Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow in the chapel with the Rev. L. Z. Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Hospice Family Care.

Student Comments:

• He was a nice guy. Matthew Orillion used to do a dead on imitation of him. Somehow Coach McKee found out about it and made Matthew do it for him during cross country. I thought Matthew was going to wet himself. . .  - Scott Ramminger 

• I had him for Civics. Good teacher. - Pat Hughes 

• I always admired him. - Deanna Benefield '75   

• Loved Coach McKee. He was one of the men who define what being a man is all about. He was a soldier, a mentor and a man of character. His influence will ripple through time. - John King '77