RALPH D MCKEE, SR, 90, of Viera in Melbourne, FL died at Wuesthoff Hospital. He came to Brevard County in July 1958 from Montgomery, AL. Ralph was a WWII and Korean War, U.S. Air Force veteran who retired after 24 years of service. He earned 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 2 Purple Hearts, five Air Medals, Air Force Commendation medal, six campaign and service medals and the French Legion of Honor. After retiring, he was engaged in various engineering assignments on the Apollo and Shuttle programs for 31 years. He was a graduate of Oklahoma State University, Florida Institute of Technology and the Air Command and Staff College. Surviving are his wife, Elinor S of Viera; children, Dianna (Don) Rhodes of MelbourNe and Helen (John) Duncan of Coral Gables, FL; granddaughter, Shannon E (Gregory) Hill; great-grandchildren, Blair Alexandra Hill, Holland McKee Hill and Gregory H Hill, Jr. of Nashville, TN and daughter-in-law, Diane H McKee of Jupiter, FL. He was predeceased by his son, Ralph D McKee, Jr, grandson, Chadley M Rhodes and brother, Marion Leon McKee. Funeral Services with full Military Honors will be held February 9, 2012 at Faith Viera Lutheran Church in Viera with burial on February 10th. Beckman-Williamson Funeral Home is serving the family. Published in FLORIDA TODAY on February 7, 2012.

RALPH D MCKEE, SR, 90, of Viera in Melbourne, FL died at Wuesthoff Hospital. He came to Brevard County in July 1958 from Montgomery, AL. Ralph was a WWII and Korean War, U.S. Air Force veteran who retired after 24 years of service. He earned 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 2 Purple Hearts, five Air Medals, Air Force Commendation medal, six campaign and service medals and the French Legion of Honor. After retiring, he was engaged in various engineering assignments on the Apollo and Shuttle programs for 31 years. He was a graduate of Oklahoma State University, Florida Institute of Technology and the Air Command and Staff College. Surviving are his wife, Elinor S of Viera; children, Dianna (Don) Rhodes of MelbourNe and Helen (John) Duncan of Coral Gables, FL; granddaughter, Shannon E (Gregory) Hill; great-grandchildren, Blair Alexandra Hill, Holland McKee Hill and Gregory H Hill, Jr. of Nashville, TN and daughter-in-law, Diane H McKee of Jupiter, FL. He was predeceased by his son, Ralph D McKee, Jr, grandson, Chadley M Rhodes and brother, Marion Leon McKee. Funeral Services with full Military Honors will be held February 9, 2012 at Faith Viera Lutheran Church in Viera with burial on February 10th. Beckman-Williamson Funeral Home is serving the family. Published in FLORIDA TODAY on February 7, 2012.