Clyde Kees

Clyde Pruitt Kees, 82, of Waco, passed away Monday, August 4, 2014 at his residence. Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church with Rev. Frank Wallace officiating. Burial will be 3 p.m. at Bethel Cemetery near Waxahachie. Visitation will be 10 – 11 a.m. prior to the service.

Clyde was born in Waxahachie to Clyde and Winnie (Pruitt) Kees. After graduating from Boise City, Okla., High School in 1950, he married Sandra Adee of Boise City. He entered the U.S. Navy and served four years at Kingsville Naval Station. He became a police officer in Kingsville and was promoted to Lieutenant during his six years there. He then flew as a crop duster for ten years before becoming a helicopter pilot. He also served as a helicopter instructor-pilot for Southern Airways training Army pilots at Fort Wolters in Mineral Wells for six years.

In 1972, he and Sandra moved to Lafayette, La., where he spent 25 years with PHI flying many different types of helicopters. After retiring in 1997, they moved to Waco where they were active in Columbus Avenue Baptist Church.

Retirement gave him time to indulge his real passion of riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles. He and Sandra made many trips to the Sturgis, S.D. rally.

Clyde is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sandra; son, Dale Kees and wife Yvonne of Lafayette, La.; daughter, Carol Scott and husband Robert of Sachse; and their grandchildren, Lindsey and Mike Dimiterchik and their son Henry, Lauren and John Gilpin and their daughter Molly, James Measures, and Rebekah Corbin.

The family appreciates Providence Hospice, Bluebonnet nurses, Visiting Angels, and our Columbus Avenue Baptist Church family for love and care for the past two years.