Lloyd W. McKee
It is with great sadness that the family of Lloyd Walter McKee announce his passing on December 27, 2018 at the age of 94. Lloyd will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 71 years, Virginia (Hunter), his daughters, Susan McKee, Marsha McKee Thom (Ric Thom), Shannon McKee (Art Biggert) and son Scott McKee; grandchildren, Rhys Thom (Cristi Fernandez), Travis Thom (Toni House Thom), and Timothy McKee; greatgranddaughters, Anaïs and Carmen Fernandez Thom, and Addison Thom; niece, Jo Durkin Lovelady; greatniece Karen Lovelady; and honorary daughter, Mary Lynn Roper. Lloyd will forever be remembered by his extended family and dear friends. Lloyd was predeceased by his father, Glenn McKee, mother Bobbie Dixon McKee and brother, Harold McKee. Lloyd was born on February 28, 1924 in Plainview, TX and raised in Amarillo. He attended Amarillo College, Southwestern University at Georgetown, TX and Midshipmen School at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. From 1942 to 1946, Lloyd served as a Naval officer in World War II. He was assigned to the U.S.S. Guil-ford with the amphibious landing forces where he served in the Pacific Theatre. After an honorable discharge he met the love of his life, Gena Hunter, in Pueblo, CO. When he fell in love he postponed his planned return to college and began a long, successful career in the automobile industry. In 1956, he and Gena moved their family to Albuquerque, NM where he opened his own Chrysler Plymouth dealership, Lloyd McKee Motors. Lloyd firmly believed in giving back to the community. He served as chairman of the board of directors of United Way, was on the board of trustees of St. Joseph Healthcare Corp., served as a director of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and helped to create the Charley Pride PGA Golf Tournament bene-fiting United Way. Lloyd had leadership roles in many organizations including the Albuquerque Auto Dealers Association, as well as within Chrysler Corporation. He was an avid golfer and played many times in the Bob Hope Desert Classic. After his retirement from the automobile business, Lloyd pursued a career in commercial real estate.
He was truly one of the Greatest Generation. Always a gentleman, Lloyd was kind, caring and loved his family fiercely. He was generous and forever an optimist. Lloyd was also very playful and loved to have fun. In 1963 he found a piece of heaven on earth in the Blanco Basin of Colorado where he purchased property and created a place that captures the hearts of all who visit.
Those who so desire may make memorial donations in memory of Lloyd to a charity of their choice. Friends and family can pay their respects at the funeral service, Thursday, January 17, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at Central United Methodist Church, 201 University Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87106. A private burial will take place on Friday, January 18 at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. The funeral home will be Daniels Family Funeral Services, StrongThorne, 505) 842-8800.