DON LOUIS McKEE

Lifelong Skagit Valley Resident Don L. McKee died on Tuesday, February 10 at age 92 at Fidalgo Care Center in Anacortes after a battle with pneumonia.

Don was born on December 19, 1922 to Sidney T. and Fannie M. McKee in their home at 1710 12th Street in Anacortes. Shortly after, the family moved to 903 23rd Street, where he lived most of his school days in Anacortes attending Nelson Grade School, Junior High in the Old Columbian High School building and graduating as Anacortes High School Student Body president with the Class of 1941.

In the first grade, Don sold magazines including ‘Saturday Evening Post,” “Ladies Home Journal” and “Country Gentleman.” He peddled newspapers, including the “Seattle Times,” “Seattle PI,” “Seattle Star” and “Anacortes Mercury” through grade school. He also worked at Nobles’ Men’s Wear and was manager for the store’s ski bus program, which carried Anacortes kids to Mount Baker.

After graduation, Don entered the University of Washington in the fall of 1941, rooming with Wallie Funk and Chris Demopoulos, who was to become his brother-in-law in 1942, when Don and Billie Demopoulos, his high school sweetheart, were married in the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Seattle.

They were married nearly 70 years when Billie preceded Don in death in 2012. Don was drafted into the Army in 1943 during World War II. He served in the European Theater, where his Field Artillery Headquarters Battery followed right behind the “Band of Brothers,” ultimately seeing them assigned to his outfit.

Following the Armistice, Don was discharged in January 1946 and returned to Billie and their first son, Tom. Greg, Brian and Elaine followed after Don had returned to the University of Washington — graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1950. After working in Seattle immediately after graduation, Don returned with his young family to his home town of Anacortes in 1953, when Shell Oil announced they would build a refinery there.

Don was very active as an architect in Anacortes, Skagit County, San Juan County, Island County and beyond. He contributed greatly to Anacortes through his architectural design of several schools, banks, municipal buildings, the Washington State Ferry Terminal building, Post Office and many highly regarded private residences throughout the region.

He also contributed to the city through his service as president of the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce, president of the Rotary Club, 12 years on the Anacortes Planning Commission and a member of the Anacortes Port Commission and active participant in the local yacht clubs and boating events serving as Anacortes Yacht Club commodore in 1967.

Don and Billie McKee were among the founders of Anacortes Community Theater with both McKees participating in productions for several years. Don played the lead male role in ACT’s first production, “Gramercy Ghost.” He was also active in the formative years of the Anacortes Arts (and Crafts) Festival.

In addition to his dear wife Billie, Don was also preceded in death by his parents, his brother Lloyd, his daughter Elaine McKee Ward and many wonderful aunts, uncles and cousins around Skagit County.

He is survived by his sons Tom (Pam), Greg (Jennifer), Brian (Kydie), brother-in-law Themo Demopoulos, 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends, who he will miss seeing and who will also miss him dearly. He will miss Anacortes as well, with which he had a lifelong love affair — shared by his wife Billie.

The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to the doctors and staff at Island Hospital and the management and staff at La Conner Retirement Inn. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Friday, March 13, at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Anacortes, followed by a reception.

A private family graveside service, with military honors, will be held at Grand View Cemetery in Anacortes. Memorials may be made to Anacortes Soroptimist Club, PO Box 654, Anacortes, WA 98221. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Don, please sign the online guest register at http://www.evanschapel.com.