Gen. Seth McKee

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Gen. Seth Jefferson McKee, USAF (Ret.) passed away peacefully in Scottsdale due to a respiratory ailment Monday, Dec. 26, 2016, at the age of 100.

McKee was born in 1916 in McGehee, Arkansas. Following graduation from Cape Girardeau High School in 1934, he attended Southeast Missouri State Teachers College for three years and the University of Oklahoma for a half year.

He began his military career in 1935 as a member of the Missouri National Guard. McKee retired as commander in chief, North American Air Defense Command.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 75 years, Sally Parshall McKee; their three sons, Seth J. (Virginia) McKee Jr. of Kirkwood, Missouri, William B. (Pendleton) McKee of Scottsdale and Thomas J. (Patricia) McKee of Fairfax Station, Virginia; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a sister, Olivia (Joe) Tharpe of St. Louis; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Lynwood Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau.