Charles Norman McKee, 84, of Cross Lanes passed away on Sunday, January 1, 2017.

He was born in Charleston on July 19, 1932 to the late William Howard McKee and Millie Jane Cline McKee.

Charles graduated from Nitro High School Class of 1950; he was a football star and played on both sides of the line.

He joined the US Navy and served from 1951 to 1955 during the Korean War as a Radar Operator aboard the Dipper King AGS-18 along with his brother, "Jim."

Charles worked as a painter for his father's owned business after his service in the military. He then started a career at Union Carbide at the Institute plant in the labor gang. Later he was promoted out of the labor gang by knowing how to type and became a clerk. Later he was force ranked number one out of seventy men for several years as a supervisor. In his final years at UCC, he planned major unit shutdowns and was a project planner. He retired in 1988.

Charles was a Mason of the Blue Lodge #170 in Nitro where he earned his 50 year pin a few years ago. Furthermore, he was a member of the Beni Kedem Shriners and the Scottish Rite. He was a member of Cross Lanes United Methodist.

He was an active stock trader throughout his life and passed his knowledge to his son. He was active with the Boy Scout Troop 68 while his son earned his Eagle Scout. Throughout his retirement, Charles was a "Professor" at McDonalds University in Nitro and loved watching NASCAR and a member of the Nitro Moose Lodge.

In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by his wife, Brenda Lou Flowers McKee; brothers, Howard L. McKee and James W. McKee.

He is survived by his son, James Howard McKee; and sister, Wanda H. Brick.

Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, January 5 at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar with Pastor John Fowler and Pastor George Webb officiating. Burial will follow at Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens.

A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Pulse Church 403 Elk St., Gasaway, W