Memorial Gifts may be made to the First Christian Church Memorial Fund located
in Tulsa at 9th & Boulder or the charity of your choice.
Wendell McKee 1919-2005
Wendell McKee, 86, passed away suddenly on February 24. Born January 15, 1919
in Cushing, Ok., his family moved to Tulsa in 1922. Wendell attended Tulsa
Central High School, graduating in 1937. He went on to attend Oklahoma State
University. While at OSU, he joined Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, as well the
Army ROTC program. While at OSU and working as a houseboy at the Kappa Delta
Sorority, Wendell met Ruby Lucille Hunter. He graduated in 1941, with a Bachelor
of Science in Industrial Engineering and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, in the
Army Corp of Engineers.
On November 25, 1942, Wendell and Ruby were married at the First Christian
Church in Tulsa. Working closely with an Architect, Wendell directed the design
and built their home at 2735 E. 45th Place in 1948, complete with a horse barn
for their horses. They lived in this home for 55 years, until moving to the
Inverness Retirement Community in March 2004.
After his Honorable Discharge from the Army, his first job was with McDonnell
Douglas working in the Industrial Engineering Dept. for their Aircraft Assembly.
In 1945, Wendell joined the Spartan Aircraft Company working for J. Paul Getty
in the Mobile Home, start-up division, as Manager of Product Design and
Engineering.
In 1954, Wendell and Ruby became parents with the birth of their son, W. Scott
McKee, Jr., and two years later with the birth of the daughter, Dena Joyce
McKee.
Wendell worked for J. Paul Getty until 1961, when he moved on to American
Airlines in their Industrial Engineering and Facilities Group. He progressed
through this department, retiring in 1984 as Manager of Facilities at the Tulsa
Maintenance Base.
During retirement he stayed busy building children's furniture and wooden toys
for his grandkids. In addition to his workshop, he enjoyed gardening in his
greenhouse and vegetable garden.
Wendell and Ruby spent their last night together enjoying each other's company,
staying up until 3 a.m. laughing and talking.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ruby; son, Scott and wife Ann of Irvine,
Ca.; daughter, Dena Arne and husband David of Littleton, Co.; 4 grandchildren,
Michael and Margaret McKee, Jason and Joshua Arne.
Wendell McKee, 86, passed away suddenly on February 24. Born January 15, 1919
in Cushing, Ok., his family moved to Tulsa in 1922. Wendell attended Tulsa
Central High School, graduating in 1937. He went on to attend Oklahoma State
University. While at OSU, he joined Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, as well the
Army ROTC program. While at OSU and working as a houseboy at the Kappa Delta
Sorority, Wendell met Ruby Lucille Hunter. He graduated in 1941, with a Bachelor
of Science in Industrial Engineering and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, in the
Army Corp of Engineers.