David James McKee, 64, Hollidaysburg, died of cancer Tuesday afternoon at his residence.
He was born in Altoona, son of Beverly J. (McKnight) McKee and the late John H. McKee.
Surviving are his fiancee, Judy Altiero, with whom he resided; his mother, Beverly of Altoona; three children: Margo Clark of Decatur, Ga., Tiffany McKee and fiance, Matt Layland, of Seattle, Wash., and Michael McKee of New York City; a sister, Sheryl Murtha and husband, James, of Westlake, Ohio; two brothers: Jeffrey L. McKee and wife, Inge, of Germany, and James A. McKee of Hollidaysburg; and a sister-in-law, Colleen McKee of Altoona.
He was preceded in death by a brother, John William McKee in June 2001, and a sister, Tammie Lee Just in December 2002.
David was a 1969 graduate of Altoona Area High School and a graduate of Kutztown State College with a Masters of Fine Arts degree. He also received additional schooling in Minnesota for the fine arts.
He was self-employed as an artist who enjoyed the fine arts, photography, poetry and nature. He taught art classes at the Hollidaysburg YMCA and also taught privately. He was the owner of a former art studio in Hollidaysburg.
He attended Second Avenue United Methodist Church, Altoona.
At the request of the deceased, there will be no viewing.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016, at Myers-Somers Funeral Home Inc., Altoona, where a celebration of life will be held at 4 p.m. to honor David's life.
myerssomersfuneralhome.com
Timothy Little
R. I. P. Dave. I'm glad we got the chance one last time at the reunion. Sympathy to all who knew you.
Maureen (Mo) McGeary (Grossi)
🌸 🌺. Dave u diffently were a Very Super and Fantastic guy in everyway.I was so happy for you and Judy. May you Rest in Peace my friend.You are really going to be missed by a lot of us more than u will ever know. We will take good care of Judy. Missing you....!
Jacquelyn Butterworth (Barr)
David, you were indeed a sweetie. You will be missed. You made my sister very happy. The poems you wrote should be published. RIP
Jackie
Phillip Johns
David and I were scouts when we were younger. One of my oldest friends. My world, my memories are diminished with Dave's passing. I too am happy that I had the chance to spend time with Dave at our last reunion. Great guy, good friend. I miss you already Dave, Phil
Joyce A Maher (Villani)
Dave you will be greatly missed. So glad I had a chance to see you at the reunion! RIP my friend.
Mary Lee Fleck (Kelly)
I was so saddened to learn of your passing. I had little contact over the years, but have held very precious memories of your artistic abilities dating back to 4th grade. It was my pleasure to meet up with you once again at the last reunion and to reconnect. Those grade school days remain in a special place in my memories and you as well. Rest in peace.
Jean Love (Lytle)
I was so sad to hear of Dave McKee passing my memories of him were mostly of his fantastic art abilities. You will be missed.
Steven Pappas
Truly saddened by Dave's passing. A kind and gentle person and friend during
our high school days. Pray the family finds comfort in the knowledge of what a
good and honorable person Dave was to this world.
May his memory be forever eternal.
Timothy Ellis
Hey my friend:
Been thinking about you quite a bit these days as I've always remembered your birthday. Wish you were still with us to celebrate...couple of old guys...classmates, teammates, life long friends...able to raise one in honor of our times together. It's funny how my thoughts wonder...Mrs. Freeman's 2nd grade class at Curtin Elementary where I discovered what a great artist you were...basketball in the 6th grade when we won city championship...talking about you starting as 7th grader on Keith's varsity football team, mostly in Mrs. Rupert's English class...smiling while at Naval Academy, I'd get a letter from you and the greeting was simply, "swabbie!" Remembering how happy we were to see one another, catch up, and laugh at 40th reunion. Thank you for those memories, so rich and so enduring. I am sad, however, and disappointed in myself that I didn't get to see you before you left us. I knew Judy had you in her good care; still, I should have been there...saying those things that needed said...being the embodiment of one of my favorite verses from Proverbs: "a friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity." I just hope I have opportunity to see you again in the hereafter and have a chance to make that up to you. Rest well, my friend, in peace. Know that your spirit remains among us.
Tim