James Paul McKee

James Paul McKee, 83, of Hickory passed away on Friday September 11, 2026, at Hickory Falls Nursing Center, Granite Falls, after a period of declining health.

Mr. McKee was born November 3, 1942, in Cleveland County, a son of the late Howard and Love Ada Price McKee. He retired as a sheet metal worker from Hickory Sheet Metal Company. James served his country as a Navy Veteran during the Vietnam war.

He enjoyed watching racing and he could make and weld almost anything from metal.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant sister and a brother, Danny McKee.

Those left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Donna Kiger and husband Randy of Pilot Mtn., Tammy Hayes and husband Floyd of Connelly Springs, Ashley Key of Winston-Salem, a son, Larry McKee and wife Brenda of Claremont, the mother of his children, Reba McKee of Pilot Mtn. and a brother Gene McKee of Shelby. Also surviving are the apples of his eye, his ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Interment with Military Honors will be held in the Pilot Mtn City Cemetery at a later date.

An online obituary and guestbook is available at wwwheritagefuneralservices.com.