G. McKee Kirkpatrick, born September 17th, 1938, in Logansport, Indiana, entered eternal life on Sunday, April 14th, 2024, in South Bend, Indiana. He was surrounded by his family.
McKee was an alumnus of Culver Military Academy, Culver Summer Naval School, Culver, IN, (1953 - 1955). While attending Culver Military Academy, he received the Gold Tuxis from the Governor of Indiana. He was a graduate of New Trier High School, Winnetka, IL, class of 1956, and was a member of both the wrestling and football teams. He regaled his family with stories of his numerous misadventures and pranks, while attending New Trier, such as the “unsolved gangland murder at the Teatro Theatre” with limousine, starter pistol, and gangster outfits.
At Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA, class of 1960, he served as President and Vice President of the student body, was a fraternal brother of Phi Kappa Psi, joined the student senate, played football, wrestled, and became an amateur boxer. He furthered his education at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 1960 and continued boxing. One of his sparring partners in the Marines was future world heavyweight champion Ken Norton. McKee was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps after a skiing accident in 1963.
McKee met Gloria Jean Brown in Los Angeles, CA, and they married in 1965 after she returned from teaching at the Navy base in Yokohama, Japan.
McKee began his professional life in sales within the staffing industry in Los Angeles, CA, and later Detroit, MI, with Kelly Girl Service, Inc. (later Kelly Services, Inc.). With a number of friends in real estate, he segued from the staffing business into the commercial real estate industry in 1969 as a leasing broker, joining Arthur Rubloff & Co., Chicago, IL, (his first-year volume exceeded the firm’s history); IDC Real Estate, Chicago, IL, office leasing broker and equity partner, he achieved the highest commission volume for the firm in his second year, then at Draper and Kramer, Incorporated, Chicago, IL, as Vice President of corporate development, he reorganized the office properties management and leasing departments and participated in the development of the 33 West Monroe Building. As Chairman of Chicago Charter, Inc., Chicago, IL, he directed the redevelopment and leasing of 165 North Canal Street. Relocating to Colorado, he was Managing Broker at LaSalle Partners Incorporated, Denver, CO, and Executive Vice President at Realties, Inc., involved with the leasing and management of first-class office facilities, specializing in the redevelopment of “lower-downtown” Denver. He contributed articles to a number of real estate and civic publications and was interviewed in capacities involving both real estate and commercial contracting. McKee later moved into the commercial contract cleaning industry with North American Maintenance, Inc., Denver, CO, Chairman/Owner, expanding operations into Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, Washington, D.C, and Chicago; Chicago Building Services, Inc., Chicago, IL, Founder, Chairman/Owner; and Kimco Corporation, Chicago, IL, and Detroit, MI, Director.
Fraternal memberships included the American Legion, Marine Corps League, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
Over the years, he held memberships at the Union League Club of Chicago, Michigan Shores Club in Wilmette, IL, the Denver Athletic Club, the Chicago Athletic Association, and the Metropolitan Club, Chicago.
He enjoyed John Wayne movies, taking his family to the theater (especially fond of musicals), Irish folk music (the Dubliners, the Chieftains, and the Wolfe Tones to name a few), Bill Haley and the Comets (and many others), gatherings with friends (notably the local pub), discussing history, playing the cornet, Northwestern and Notre Dame football games, Irish Wolfhounds, and working. He was referred to by his friends as “Mac” or “Big Mac.”
McKee was preceded in death by his parents, Francis McKee and Kathryn Alice Kirkpatrick, and his sister Josephine Merrill Kirkpatrick. McKee leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Gloria Jean, his daughters Kathryn Josephine and Mary Frances, sons Brian Keith and Sean Casey (Amanda), granddaughter Riley Lynn, grandsons Conor McKee and Peter Ivan, brother-in-law Don Brown, and many cousins. He has joined his sons Christopher McKee and Colin Flinn in the hereafter. McKee will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.
McKee was TRULY ONE OF A KIND, with a larger-than-life personality, charm, and a great sense of humor. He made an impression on everyone who met him. He is referred to as a Renaissance Man by his wife, Gloria.
To honor and respect McKee’s written instructions, a funeral ceremony will not be held; however, the family will host a celebration of McKee’s life for family and friends at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a preferred charity of choice.
Arrangements are entrusted to Haverstock Funeral Home and Cremation Services 602 Maple Ave. La Porte, IN 46350.
Online condolences may be made at www.haverstockfuneralhome.com
