Jack McKee died peacefully on January 28, 2024 in his daughter Barbara’s home on Loyalsock Creek, a house he and his beloved wife Joann built with the labor of their hands. He was 102.
Jack was born in Williamsport to Lee P. and Lulu Courter McKee and spent his childhood in the 900 block of High Street along with his two brothers, Richard and Donald. He graduated from Williamsport High School in 1939 and attended Dickinson Seminary (the forerunner of Lycoming College), later transferring to Penn State University. There he joined Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and completed his BA in business administration in Dec., 1942. One month after graduation, Jack joined the Army to serve his country in WWII.
Stationed variously in Europe, Japan, and the Philippines, Sergeant McKee served in the U.S. Army 361st Engineer Special Service Regiment. He was awarded a Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and European-African Campaign Medal with Bronze Star. Amid the dangers of warfare, Jack’s heart never wavered from the girl back home he longed to see, Joann (aka Joan) Decker. Joann welcomed him back to America and into her heart; they were married September 18, 1946.
Jack accepted the position of assistant manager of the Sears store on 4th Street in downtown Williamsport, subsequently working as a store manager in cities across four states. His managerial and marketing skills earned him the company nickname of “Silver Dollar Jack.” Nonetheless, Jack and Joann’s greatest treasure remained the bonds of family. They had two daughters, Barbara McKee Jarmoska and Susan McKee Garvey. Regardless of where Sears placed the McKee family, summer vacations were always spent back on the Loyalsock Creek, in the old lumberjack cabin on land purchased in 1933 by Joann’s father, ophthalmology surgeon Dr. P. H. Decker. The welcome sign was permanently hung and the laughter of friends and extended family rang out from the cabin’s big wrap-around porches all summer long.
The relentless promotional moves that were a boon to corporate profits became increasingly difficult for his family. In 1965, Jack turned down a Sears promotion and moved back to Williamsport. Settling in Loyalsock Township, he bought the financially strapped Isaac Decker Furniture Company in Montgomery, PA. The factory thrived under his managerial skills but was destroyed by Hurricane Agnes in 1972. As the flood waters of the Susquehanna receded, Jack took out a government loan and began the work of rebuilding. Three years later, at the age of 55, he sold the once again thriving factory to create the retirement life he and Joann had always dreamed of; they demolished the old Decker cabin on the Loyalsock and constructed a ranch home in its place. A crew of three designed and built the house: Jack, Joann, and one experienced carpenter.
In addition to his passion for fly fishing and projects involving his Kubota tractor, Barb’s two children, Dustan and Melian McKee, were Jack’s greatest joy. Time spent with his grandkids in the woods, fields, creek, and 200-tree apple orchard he planted as a “retirement project” were truly the glory days of his entire life.
In 1981, when his daughter Barb started a business named Freshlife, Jack was her mentor and bookkeeper. Through 3 ever-larger iterations, it was her father’s wise advice that served as the foundation of success upon which Freshlife continued to expand.
Tragedy struck the McKee family in 1988 when Susan — Jack’s “Sueanny” — was killed by a drunk driver. For Jack and Joann, an abiding faith in the divine sovereignty of God provided the strength to carry on. In 2012, Jack suffered the death of Joann, his first and only true love and his wife of 66 years. In the wake of this loss, Jack found a new source of joy in the next generation of McKees as he became the much-loved “Great Pop” to Cerafina, Archer, and Lily McKee, children of Dustan and his wife Carlyn.
According to Jack’s wishes, his ashes will be buried at Wildwood Cemetery following an 11am military graveside service at the McKee plot on what would have been his 103rd birthday: June 24, 2024. Friends and family are encouraged to attend. A celebration of life will take place at the McKee homestead on the Loyalsock Creek immediately following the service.
The value of education, the pride of service, the commitment of marriage, the responsibility of fatherhood, the dignity of work, the necessity of financial planning, the thrill of fly fishing, the rewards of a poker face, the return on investment of repair and maintenance, the nourishing comfort of chicken and waffles, the awe inspired by the natural world, the connection felt through worship, the accountability of leadership, the unbridled joys of time spent with family, and the unbreakable bonds of love. These are Jack’s lifelong values, the lessons he taught by example, and the immeasurable treasures he leaves behind in the hearts and minds of all those who knew and loved him.
NOTE: Crouse Funeral Home has been entrusted with handling final arrangements. Please visit http://www.crousefuneralhome.com to see Jack’s photo gallery and help the family plan for his life celebration on June 24th by letting them know if you are able to attend. Thank you.
