Mike McKee

The large congregation at the funeral of Michael Thomas McKee, 69, at St Bartholomew's Church, Royal Wotton Bassett, included representatives of the RAF, the Rugby Club the Golf Club and the Scout Movement.

Mike had a notable career in the RAF, which he joined when he was 17. After postings to Aden, Shetland and Greenham Common in those early years, he joined aircrew, as a Loadmaster. He was with 24 Sqn and 47 Sqn at Lyneham before being posted to Germany to serve for four yeas in Berlin – a period that he and his family enjoyed greatly. Subsequently he served with 70 Sqn at Lyneham before being transferred to 10 Sqn.

He became part of the VIP crew, which involved a trip with Tony Blair for the handover of Hong Kong, and being with Robin Cook at the time of Princess Diana's death. Robin Cook borrowed (and kept) Mike's black RAF tie to make the announcement. On a trip to Zimbabwe Mike accompanied Malcolm Rifkind on a birdwatching walk around a lake. Mike, who was on a VIP trip to the Holy Land in the days between the death and funeral of his mother, said it was like a pilgrimage to honour her memory.

His overseas service included a winter in the Falklands where he indulged his love of nature and wildlife.

Hearing loss prompted early retirement from the RAF, but a new chapter opened when he became Station Warden, reporting directly to the Station Commander at RAF Fairford, home of the American Air Force in Oxfordshire, where the Air Tattoo was a highlight.

In his final retirement, Mike enjoyed continued involvement in the life of his family and the community around Wootton Bassett.

He had been an amateur boxer, was a founder member of the Wiltshire Golf Club, and joined the Rugby Club in the year after it was formed. He had also played rugby for Lyneham. He was a former Scout leader and long-serving treasurer of the 1st Wootton Bassett Scout Group, having been keenly involved in Scouting since his youth in Devon.

He was actually born in Indiana, USA, but he and his mother returned to England and he did not meet his father again until 30 years later. Mike then regained dual nationality. The family has since enjoyed many holidays in the USA.

The service was conducted by the Rev Peter Giles, a fellow golfer, who recalled Mike's pride in his American roots, his interest in photography, history, world news and gardening and his love of music.

He cherished his family, in this country (where he had three step-brothers). He was proud of his wife Ann, their son Matt, daughter Libby and granddaughter Leah. A highlight of family life was when he accompanied Libby to receive her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award from the Duke of Edinburgh himself.

Mike McKee is remembered for his kindness, consideration and thoughtfulness. He is sorely missed.