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COLUMBIANA -- Richard Kenneth McKee, 96, passed away Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023.
He was born July 4, 1927, in Youngstown, son of Kenneth W. and Isabel H. McKee, growing up in the Fosterville area near Idora Park.
Dick entered the US. Navy in 1945. In 1950, he married Leona J. Braden and started RX, McKee Contracting. After Leona's death in 1965, he sold all his contracting equipment and worked for a municipal supply house out of Cleveland.
In 1969, he married his wife of 54 years, Joyce Ann.
Dick's hobby of restoring antique race cars became his business, RX, McKee Engineering. As one of a trio, in 1973, he founded the Antique Automobile Racing Association, which he enjoyed with many fellow antique race car enthusiasts, and continued to race cars well into his 70s. He was also an active member of the Youngstown Four Square Club (Mental, Physical, Social, and Spiritual), founded in 1918.
Dick served on Columbiana City Council, as well as the zoning and planning commission in the 1960s, and began making necessary changes in subdivision regulations, housing codes, building codes and a charter form of government.
Later in life, he and his wife enjoyed spending the winters on Isla de Culebra, Puerto Rico for 31 years. It became their home away from home, where they made lifelong friends.
Besides his wife, Joyce, he is survived by his two daughters, Nancy Kim Lake (John) of Campobello, South Carolina and Kristine McKee of Columbiana. He leaves three grandchildren, Kris' son, Jonathan Moss of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Kim's son, John and daughter, Lori; along with five great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. In addition, he is survived by his sister, Nancy Kilpatrick of Boardman; as well as nieces, great-nieces and nephews, and cousins, Jeff Davis and Jim Davis.
His brother-in-law and nephew preceded him in death.
Friends and family may pay their respects 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, with a service to follow, at Warrick Kummer-Rettig Funeral Home in Columbiana.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Angels for Animals.
Family and friends may view this obituary and send condolences at www.familycareservices.com.
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