Obituary of Vernon Van Kee

Funeral services for Vernon Van Kee, 93, Arp will be held 11:00 am Monday, January 9, 2017 at Cottle Funeral Home Chapel in Troup. Reverend David Goodwin will be officiating and assisted by Bill Clem and Jeff Dudley. Burial will follow at Mason Cemetery in Arp, under the direction of Cottle Funeral Home. The family will receive friends and loved ones an hour prior to the service at the Funeral Home. Vernon Kee passed away Thursday, January 5, 2017 in Tyler, Texas. Vernon, the last of the eight children of Bertha E. Nichols Kee and Billy Carson Kee, was born June 11, 1923 in the Concord Community, Cherokee County Texas. He was a good provider for his family and was always there to help his children. Vernon retired from Eastman (Kodiak) Chemical after 19 years of service. Prior to his employment with Eastman, he was with a construction company that built the current plant. Vernon was proud of his service during the Korean War and was awarded the Korean service Medal in February 1950, a 1st Bronze Campaign Star September of 1950 and he was a Corporal at the time of his discharge in 1953. Vernon was a lifetime member of Disabled Veterans Association and Paralyzed Veterans Association. Vernon married his beautiful wife, Joyce Elizabeth Barton Kee of 59 years and 9 months in 1953, and together they raised their children. He was proud to be a Texas and an American. He also said he was proud of his wife, his children and grandchildren, and that his best memories were of traveling and visiting State and National Parks with his loving family. Vernon also enjoyed writing and playing country music. He is preceded in death by his parents, Bertha & Carson Kee; wife, Joyce Barton Kee; siblings, Noble Kee, Minnie Lee Kee Clem, Marjorie Kee Laird, Ira Kee, J.C. Kee, Ruby Kee Rogers, and Audrey Kee Jarret; infant son, Van Kee and youngest son, Kenny Kee; son-in-law, Jim Mayfield and daughter-in-law, Venita Kee. Survivors include his daughter, Karen Kee Mayfield of Murchison; sons, Michael Kee & wife Janette of Troup, Tony Kee of Arp; his grandchildren, great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews; also, his loving dog Maggie. Pallbearers will be Steve Allen, Jeff Dudley, Tim Dudley, Josh Kee, J.B. McCollum, Matthew Milner, and Lucas Parks. Honorary Pallbearers are Anthony Martin, Clois Martin, Charlie Mahaffey, Billy Clem, Jason Buddin, Bryant Kolb, and the Clois Martin Coffee Club. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd, Tyler, TX 75701. A special thanks to Hospice of East Texas and their final comfort care for our beloved father, father-in-law, and friend. Online registration and condolences are available at www.cottlefuneralhome.com