Ronald Gene Kee, 81, of Stroud Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on June 27, 2026, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Ron was born on December 3, 1944, in Lehigh, Oklahoma, to Joseph William Kee and Mary Virgie (Gray) Kee. He attended numerous schools throughout Arizona and Oklahoma before graduating in 1962 from Stonewall High School in Stonewall, Oklahoma. On June , 1965, Ron married the love of his life, Pauline Ruth (Humphers) Kee. Together they shared 61 wonderful years of marriage, raised three children, and built a life centered on faith, family, and service. Ron dedicated his career to serving others as a firefighter with the Oklahoma City Fire Department. Beginning his service in 1966, where he rose through the ranks and retired in 1992 as District Commander, a rank now known as Battalion Chief, after 26 years of distinguished service. Affectionately known as “Papa” (Paw-paw) by his family, Ron found great joy in the simple things in life. He loved riding horses, raising cattle, baling hay, and woodworking. His love for woodworking began in his youth while working alongside his father at a sawmill and in the log woods, where he learned skills that stayed with him throughout his life. One of his proudest accomplishments was building the forever earthly home that he and Ruth built in 1999. A man of deep faith, Ron faithfully served as a deacon and sometimes taught the Men’s Bible study class at First Baptist Church of Chandler, Oklahoma. He leaves behind a legacy of faith, hard work, kindness, and devotion to his family.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph William Kee and Mary Virgie (Gray) Kee; his sister, Syble Wood; and his nephews, Danny Wood and Mark Wood.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Pauline Ruth Kee; His children, Darla Sue (Kee) Forbis and husband Scott Forbis, Ronnie Darrel Kee and wife Danna Kee, and Carrie Gayle (Kee) Lockhart and husband James Lockhart. His sister Bonnie (Kee) Hybner and husband Richard of Hector Arkansas. He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren: Tyler Forbis; Ryan Forbis and wife Tara Forbis; Anna Lowther and husband William Lowther; Robin Kee; Ethan Kee and wife Madison Kee; Sydney Kee; Hope Lockhart; and Jakob Lockhart. His legacy continues through his great-grandchildren: Avery Kee, Isaiah Kee, Grady Kee, Lylah Forbis, Aurora Forbis, Kyzer Lowther, and Violet Lowther, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ron is remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was an example of honesty, integrity and a life lived loving the Lord. One of his favorite books of the Bible was the book of Romans. “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -Romans 8: 38-39

Ron will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.