James Dean Mckee

James Dean McKee, 89, of Berrien Springs, passed away on March 2, 2023 with the anticipation of being reunited at the second coming of Jesus with his daughter, Diana, who preceded him in death in 1985.

He was born in Glasgow, Iowa on April 10, 1933 in the family home. He was raised on a farm in southeast Iowa. Jim graduated from Birmingham High School in 1951 as valedictorian of his class. Following graduation from high school, he attended Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa, but was able to transfer to Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, to complete his bachelor's degree. He graduated with a major in math and minors in religion, physics, and secondary education. After graduation, he began his teaching career at Agency Iowa High School for two years. Then, in 1958, he joined the teaching staff at Union College Academy back in Lincoln, Nebraska where he taught math and science for 15 years. In 1973, Dr. Richard Orrison called him to teach at Andrews Academy on the campus of Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan.

Jim was a beloved teacher at Andrews Academy and was known for his kindness, patience, and humor as he worked with students day by day. He loved mentoring students and watching them grow in academy and beyond in their professional life. After 39 years of teaching, Jim retired at the end of the 1994-1995 school year. He was a member of and an elder at Pioneer Memorial Church where he could often be seen running the audio-visual equipment in the early days of PMC's media ministry.

Jim is survived by his wife, DeLauna Keith McKee; his son, Ronald McKee and his wife Karla; his two grandchildren, Kaitlin "Kaiti" McKee and Cameron McKee.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, April 2, 2023, at 2 p.m. in the Pioneer Memorial Church Sanctuary in Berrien Springs. Family visitation will begin prior to the Memorial Service starting at 1:30 p.m. in the Narthex of the church. If you are unable to attend, there will be a live broadcast of the service and the link will appear on the Allred Funeral Home website. Immediately following the sanctuary service, there will be an interactive in-person and virtual (online) “Remembering Time” for former students, faculty, and staff in the PMC Commons to share stories and memories.

Donations may be made in Jim’s honor to the Worthy Student Fund at Andrews Academy.

LIVESTREAM:  pmchurch.org/specialevents