Graydon S. McKee - Obituary

raydon S. McKee, III, retired Chief Judge Seventh Judicial Circuit (Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s counties), passed away October 11, 2021 in Annapolis, MD. The son of Dr. Graydon S. and Nina L. McKee, he was born November 8, 1937 in New Brighton, PA. He spent his early years in western Pennsylvania, graduating from Claysville High School in 1955 and Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, OH in 1960. He was a member of the wrestling team and student manager of the college radio station (WBWC). Upon graduation from college, he entered active duty in the United States Marine Corps Officer’s School, having enlisted in the reserves while a senior in high school. While on a USMC leave program he attended and graduated (1967) from the University of Maryland School of Law with a Juris Doctorate and in his last year he served as president of the student body. Upon graduation he served as law clerk to Judge William Bowie, Circuit Court for Prince George’s County. From 1968 to November 1977, he practiced law in Upper Marlboro. During this time he served on the County Board of Education and as substitute Master for Juvenile Cases. In November 1977, he was appointed a Judge of the District Court of Maryland. Upon his appointment to the court, Judge McKee retired from the Marine Corps with 22 years of active and reserve duty. In 1989 he was elected to the Circuit Court where he served until his retirement in November 2007. While on the bench he served as the District Court Administrative Judge and later Circuit Administrative Judge, retiring as the Chief Judge of the Seventh Judicial Court. After retirement he served as a Senior Judge. During his years on the bench he also served as adjunct professor at Chesapeake College, Prince George’s College, Florida Institute of Technology and University of Maryland University College. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary Ellen Davis McKee; two sons, Graydon Scott (Molly Delaney) of Cummings, GA and Gregory Samuel (Rebecca Mitch) of Annapolis, and four grandsons. Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation on Monday, October 18 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at Kalas Funeral Home and Crematory, 2973 Solomon’s Island Road, Edgewater. While funeral services and burial will be private, a public memorial service for all who are interested in attending will be held at a later date.