George Ervin McKee, 82

George Ervin McKee, 82, passed away on Dec. 24, 2005, at his home in Laclede, Idaho.

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2006, at Lakeview Funeral Home with Charley Packard officiating.

George was born on Nov. 19, 1923, in Jeffers, Mont., the son of Gus and Melba (Rogers) McKee. He grew up in Ennis, Mont., and graduated from Ennis High School in June 1941.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy from June 1944 to March 1946 in World War II as a fire control man third class. After his honorable discharge, George became a skilled machinist in the Seattle area and later in San Diego. He changed his career later in life to the fishing industry in San Diego and owned and worked on commercial and sport fishing boats until his retirement in 1988.

George married Doris Marie Gidio on Dec. 23, 1940, in Woodinville, Wash. Doris passed away in June 1989. He married Dawn Louise Marques in August 1997 and together they found great companionship and joy in their new home in Laclede, Idaho, and traveling to many states to visit friends and family.

His hobbies included collecting model trains, gardening and tinkering with his 1961 Buick Special and his greatest hobby was his love of family and friends.

George will be remembered as a soft spoken gentle soul with a big heart and will be missed by his many friends.

Survivors include his sons, Patrick (Carol) McKee, Michael McKee and Larry (Barbara) McKee; a son-in-law, Doug (Lynette) Eakin; a daughter, Pamela; stepdaughters, Pamela Mecham and Lois Burgess; a stepson, David Richardson; and 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two wives; Doris and Dawn; and a daughter, Sandra Eakin

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint, Idaho, is handling the arrangements. Please visit George's memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his online guest book.