Official Obituary of
James Louis Kee
October 9, 1935 ~ March 21, 2023 (age 87) 87 Years Old
James Kee Obituary
Jim passed away peacefully at Duncan Regional Hospital surrounded by his family on Monday, March 20, 2023.
The family will greet visitors on Sunday, March 26, between 2:00 P.M. and 4:00 P.M. at Whitt Funeral Home in Duncan, Oklahoma. Funeral services will be Monday, March 27, at Chisholm Trail Church of Christ beginning at 10:00 A.M., with Pastor Leonard Keele officiating. Serving as pallbearers are Luke J. Kee-Rees, Jeffery K. Archer, Christian L. Archer, Carson M. Halley, David R. Redmond, and James L. Kee-Rees; honorary pallbearers are Ray Sleeth, Gene Pool, Richard Lee, Glen Houghton, Danny Jaynes, Roy Rohrbaugh, and the R&S Drug Store Coffee Group. Interment will be held in the Marlow Cemetery, with Pastor Harold Metheny officiating.
Jim was born on October 9, 1935 in Drumright, Oklahoma to parents Della Kee and Elzie "Papa" Kee. Papa Kee was a school teacher, coached a girls basketball team, and was a Scoutmaster. Della Kee worked in the school office where Papa taught. Later Papa started a job with Phillips Petroleum in Bartlesville as a petroleum engineer. Jim used to tell the story that his father often had only an onion to eat and coffee to drink while attending college. Jim carried his father's ethic of overcoming in difficult circumstances his entire life.
Jim delivered newspapers in high school and worked at J.C. Penney. Taking care of family was important to him, in fact, he purchased his younger sisters, Kathy, first prom dress, and paid his own bills during high school to help his parents. Jim graduated from Bartlesville High School in 1953. Jim attended Oklahoma A&M College "OSU" on a scholarship from Phillips Petroleum. It wasn't all studies, Jim got together with a group of friends, and in the fall of 1956 stole the shotgun used on the sidelines by the Oklahoma University RUF/NEKS!
Jim joined the Army after three years of college. Besides his marriage to Judy Kee and family, his proudest accomplishment in life was being a member of the 101st Airborne Division Band. His Company was named a "Triple Threat" by General Westmoreland for their ability to go into combat at a minute's notice. After serving his country, Jim finished college and completed Law School at Oklahoma City University in 1966.
Jim moved to Duncan in 1970 to accept an assistant district attorney's position from Joe Humphrey. He met Judy Redmond- his future bride- the first day on the job. Their first date was attending the Velma Picnic together, and from that date their love began to grow. They were married July 28, 1972, and would share a life together for over fifty years!
Jim opened his private law practice in 1973 and served the Duncan community for almost fifty years. He is past President of the Stephens County Bar Association, founding member and past president of the Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and served two years as a Board member of the Eisenhower Center at the University of New Orleans that led to the building of the D-Day Museum in New Orleans. Jim was also a member of the Board of Governors for the State Bar Association and was honored by the Bar Association for fifty years of service.
Jim loved singing at the Chisholm Trail Church of Christ and teaching about First Century Christianity. He was proud of his daughter, Hollie, and the work they did together in the voir dire process of picking juries. In addition, with his son, Jim, they collected pre-statehood relics and publications. Along with his wife, Judy, they operated a 500-acre farm north of Marlow, that had been in her family since 1892.
Jim is survived by his wife, Judy "Redmond" Kee; sister, Kathy Reynolds; daughter, Hollie Kee; son, Jim Kee-Rees; and daughter-in-law, JoBeth Kee-Rees. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Janeen Archer, Jeffrey Archer, Christian Archer, Kate Halley, Carson Halley, Sophia Kee-Rees, Luke Kee-Rees; and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Elzie and Della; and his brother, Danny Kee.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Chisholm Trail Church of Christ, Stephens County Honor Guard, or Patriot Guard Riders in memory of Jim Kee.
Online condolences can be made at www.whittfh.com.
The family will greet visitors on Sunday, March 26, between 2:00 P.M. and 4:00 P.M. at Whitt Funeral Home in Duncan, Oklahoma. Funeral services will be Monday, March 27, at Chisholm Trail Church of Christ beginning at 10:00 A.M., with Pastor Leonard Keele officiating. Serving as pallbearers are Luke J. Kee-Rees, Jeffery K. Archer, Christian L. Archer, Carson M. Halley, David R. Redmond, and James L. Kee-Rees; honorary pallbearers are Ray Sleeth, Gene Pool, Richard Lee, Glen Houghton, Danny Jaynes, Roy Rohrbaugh, and the R&S Drug Store Coffee Group. Interment will be held in the Marlow Cemetery, with Pastor Harold Metheny officiating.
Jim was born on October 9, 1935 in Drumright, Oklahoma to parents Della Kee and Elzie "Papa" Kee. Papa Kee was a school teacher, coached a girls basketball team, and was a Scoutmaster. Della Kee worked in the school office where Papa taught. Later Papa started a job with Phillips Petroleum in Bartlesville as a petroleum engineer. Jim used to tell the story that his father often had only an onion to eat and coffee to drink while attending college. Jim carried his father's ethic of overcoming in difficult circumstances his entire life.
Jim delivered newspapers in high school and worked at J.C. Penney. Taking care of family was important to him, in fact, he purchased his younger sisters, Kathy, first prom dress, and paid his own bills during high school to help his parents. Jim graduated from Bartlesville High School in 1953. Jim attended Oklahoma A&M College "OSU" on a scholarship from Phillips Petroleum. It wasn't all studies, Jim got together with a group of friends, and in the fall of 1956 stole the shotgun used on the sidelines by the Oklahoma University RUF/NEKS!
Jim joined the Army after three years of college. Besides his marriage to Judy Kee and family, his proudest accomplishment in life was being a member of the 101st Airborne Division Band. His Company was named a "Triple Threat" by General Westmoreland for their ability to go into combat at a minute's notice. After serving his country, Jim finished college and completed Law School at Oklahoma City University in 1966.
Jim moved to Duncan in 1970 to accept an assistant district attorney's position from Joe Humphrey. He met Judy Redmond- his future bride- the first day on the job. Their first date was attending the Velma Picnic together, and from that date their love began to grow. They were married July 28, 1972, and would share a life together for over fifty years!
Jim opened his private law practice in 1973 and served the Duncan community for almost fifty years. He is past President of the Stephens County Bar Association, founding member and past president of the Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and served two years as a Board member of the Eisenhower Center at the University of New Orleans that led to the building of the D-Day Museum in New Orleans. Jim was also a member of the Board of Governors for the State Bar Association and was honored by the Bar Association for fifty years of service.
Jim loved singing at the Chisholm Trail Church of Christ and teaching about First Century Christianity. He was proud of his daughter, Hollie, and the work they did together in the voir dire process of picking juries. In addition, with his son, Jim, they collected pre-statehood relics and publications. Along with his wife, Judy, they operated a 500-acre farm north of Marlow, that had been in her family since 1892.
Jim is survived by his wife, Judy "Redmond" Kee; sister, Kathy Reynolds; daughter, Hollie Kee; son, Jim Kee-Rees; and daughter-in-law, JoBeth Kee-Rees. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Janeen Archer, Jeffrey Archer, Christian Archer, Kate Halley, Carson Halley, Sophia Kee-Rees, Luke Kee-Rees; and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Elzie and Della; and his brother, Danny Kee.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Chisholm Trail Church of Christ, Stephens County Honor Guard, or Patriot Guard Riders in memory of Jim Kee.
Online condolences can be made at www.whittfh.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Louis Kee, please visit our floral store.
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