Clark McKee, 96, a longtime Sedro-Woolley resident, passed away on Friday, September 13, 2013 at Where The Heart Is in Burlington.
Clark was born on Wednesday, August 29, 1917 in Sedro-Woolley, the youngest of eight children of James Herbert & Nellie Frances (O’Dare) McKee, members of a pioneer Skagit County family. He attended the 2 room McRae grade school, graduating in a class of six, and then attended Sedro-Woolley High School, where he played left guard for three years on the football team. He graduated from SWHS with the class of 1935. After high school he played on sandlot softball teams.
Clark worked as a contract farm hand around Skagit County until he was offered a job on Oahu, landing in Honolulu on December 3, 1941 and watched the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor from the porch of his residence. As planes flew over Diamondhead he could see the pilots and the rising sun emblem on the wings of the planes.
On September 21, 1942 he was drafted into the U.S. Army and was assigned to Schofield Barracks, within 30 miles of where he lived, and he worked as a Supply Sargent until his discharge at Fort Lewis on November 2, 1945.
After his discharge he returned to Skagit County, and along with his brother-in-law, Arthur H. Ward, became part owner of 200 acres in the Nookachamps area, where for 19 years, they cleared the farmland and were among early cattleman in the county to breed purebred Hereford cattle.
Clark continued to make his home on the family homestead on F & S Grade Road in Sedro-Woolley where he enjoyed caring for his goats and cats.
He has been a member of the Skagit Valley Grange since 1937, was Master of the Pomona Grange for 3 years, was a charter member of the Skagit County Cattlemen’s Association, and a member of the Sedro-Woolley High School Alumni Association.
Clark was preceded in death by his parents; 2 brothers, Lester and Walter McKee; 5 sisters, Lois Ward, Nola McRae, Jessie McRae, Edith Norris and Doris Nichols and a nephew, Ronald Gordon Nichols.
He is survived by his nieces, Barbara Ward Thompson, Linda Nichols Mitchell (Norm), Donna McRae Stone, Eunice McRae Jenkins (Dale) and Mary McRae Hall (Fred); nephews, John H. Ward, George E. McRae and James McRae (Janet), as well as a huge extended family of cousins and grand nieces and nephews several generations deep.
Clark thanks all of his friends and relatives who have put up with him over the years, and said he’d like to do it all over again.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Sunday, October 6, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. at Lemley Chapel. A Potluck fellowship will follow at the Skagit Valley Grange on Cook Road. Private inurnment will be at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the Skagit Valley Grange c/o George McRae, 8578 F & S Grade Road, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284 or a charity of your choice
I met Clark many years ago when I was a member of the Grange along with my parents, Kenny & Marie Balzar. Clark was always very involved with whatever he did and always made everyone feel welcome. After my dad passed away there were times I think I admired you because you seemed similar in ways to my Dad. I’ve never told anyone that but you were a hard worker, farmer and very caring along with the dark hair, receding hairline and glasses. Similar traits my father had. May you rest in peace. You’ve lived a wonderful successful life and your family will miss you.
Elena Balzar Harp