Earl McKee - WHS 1949
Born and raised in Three Rivers, Earl McKee has led a diverse and fascinating life. Earl’s father started the family mule packing business in 1910, later buying the park concessions for packing and riding stables in Giant Forest, Sequoia National Park. Earl spent all his summers of his early life in the back country. He raised cattle, and quarter horses. He has sung at uncountable weddings and funerals sang western music with his family; playing his Tuba and singing all over the world with the well-known “High Sierra Jazz Band” for over 42 years.
Earl graduated from Woodlake High School in 1949. He was a member of a scrappy group of football players that claimed the San Joaquin Valley Championship for two years running…1947 and ’48, quite a feat for such a small town team. In his senior year, Earl was president of FFA and received the prestigious award of State Farmer. (In 1976, this proud honor was also earned by his son known as “Little Earl.”) Earl also received the Chamber of Commerce Banker’s Agricultural award; he was president of the athletic letterman’s “Block W” association and was voted Vice President alongside dear friend and Student Body President, Jess Cox. While attending Fresno State University, Earl played for the Frosh football team. There, he was taught several lessons from two powerful varsity players just out of the Marines; Herman Ziegler and Bud Loverin. (Herman was the boxing heavyweight champion of the Southwest Marine Corps!) Earl faced those two on many scrimmages and they showed him no mercy. With much due respect, here began their lifelong friendship.
Twenty years later, Earl served on the Woodlake H.S. Board of Trustees under the leadership of Principal/Superintendent, Bud Loverin and Vice Principal, Herman Ziegler. He spent 12 years on the board and during that time, handing out diplomas to his own children. He is especially proud of the boards work with Courtney McCracken as they developed the plan for the new Public Library and the schools new swim complex.
Soon after high school, Earl married his high school sweetheart, Gaynor Hardison. They celebrated their 68th Anniversary in December of 2018. The McKee’s three children also graduated from Woodlake High; Linda in 1971, Chearl in 1974, and little Earl 1975.
Earl joined the Three Rivers Lions Club in 1950 and has been a member ever since. Earl received the Tulare County Cattleman of The Year award in 2003 after breeding beef cattle for 55 years. Earl has led an amazing life and met many memorable characters along the way. He developed quite a knack for remembering names, dates, stories and antidotes. In 2013 Earl published his first book of old time memories “Echoes of Blossom Peak” and in 2016 published, “Echoes Of Three Rivers.” Earl cherished the many friends which he had come to know and shared precious time. Over the last 20 years, members of his 49er class have been meeting for dinner once a month. Jess Cox and Frank Ainley are still the dearest of classmates and this summer Don Nice came to visit and talk about old times all the way from New York City.
It is indeed an honor to induct Earl McKee into the Woodlake Union High School Hall of Fame.
