Desert Sun, Number 34, 13 September 1983 — Funeral scheduled for John Kee, 52 [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Funeral scheduled for John Kee, 52

YUCCA VALLEY The community will bid farewell Wednesday to longtime area resident John Grant “Corky” Kee, a man described by friends as an “outstanding citizen” and always willing to help someone in need. One of the original volunteer firemen in Yucca Valley, Kee, 52, was fatally injured Thursday at his home. He was repairing a water pump on his truck when the fan and pulley broke loose, striking him in the neck, and throwing him about 20 feet, authorities said. He sustained severe cuts and injuries to his neck and was taken to the Hi-Desert Medical Center in Joshua Tree where he was pronounced dead at 10:50 p.m. Visitation is scheduled from 4 to 7 today at the Wiefels and Son chapel here. The funeral services will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday, also in the chapel. Burial will be in Mountain Valley Memorial Park in Joshua Tree A reception after the service is scheduled at the home of Opal Poston, 7445 Joshua View, Yucca Valley. Born June 4, 1931, in Los Angeles, Kee moved as a child with his family to the Morongo Basin, where he resided throughout his lifetime, living in Pioneertown and Yucca Valley. He was a self-employed contractor, involved in grading and excavation. This work led to numerous appointments and volunteer posts with state and San Bernardino County emergency and public safety agencies. He was a 30-year member of the San Bernardino County Search and Rescue Unit. Kee resigned from that group eight years ago, but remained on emergency call. He worked extensively with the California Department of ForestrySan Bernardino County Fire Department, grading and cutting fire breaks Along with being one of the original volunteer firemen in Yucca Valley, he helped build the first fire station in the west end of town and was later a paid fireman on the local crew Yucca Valley Fire Chief Clarence Gish called Kee “an outstanding citizen who would always do what he could to help someone in need." Kee was also involved in various service clubs and organizations, including Corral 46 of the Equestrian Trails, the Yucca Valley Rangers and was a past member of the Yucca Valley Kiwanis Club He is survived by his wife, Jean of Yucca Valley; four daughters, Beverly, Peggy and Jonna Kee and Jamie Ostler, all of Pioneertown; his mother, Addah Kee of Pioneertown; a brother, Charlie Kee of Yucca Valley; three grandchildren and several foster children Another brother, Roy Kee, was killed in a farming accident in 1968 on the Morongo Indian Reservation.

JOHN GRANT KEE . . . accidental death