John Robert McNee, 74, died Tuesday, December 12, 2023. He was born in Strong City, Kansas on August 24, 1949 to James Campbell "JC" and Janice (Nuttle) McNee. He grew up on a horse ranch outside of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas in the heart of the Flint Hills. Growing up, he rode rodeo bulls, drove a school bus and a gravel truck, hauled hay with his brother, and ran the town swimming pool, but his childhood dream was to become a lawyer. He was a graduate of Washburn University and Washburn Law School in Topeka, Kansas.

He met his wife, Valerie Dobbs, at Washburn, and they married in 1971. In 1974, he joined the Air Force as a JAG officer stationed at LRAFB. Following his military commitment, he practiced law in Jacksonville before joining First Arkansas Bank and Trust as Vice President, Trust Officer, and Bank Counsel, retiring in 2013 after 30 years.

John was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of LR (UUCLR) where he was active in many leadership roles, serving as President twice, long-term co-chair of the ad hoc camping committee, and safety officer for the annual Memorial Day Buffalo River Float Trip. The church community has been a great support over the years.

John loved being out-of-doors, paddling rivers, sailing boats, camping and fishing. He valued the many friends he made at the Grande Maumelle Sailing Club and the Arkansas Canoe Club. Late in life, he took up the violin and found great joy in taking lessons and practicing. He also enjoyed taking classes at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts and UA-LR. He was an avid gardener, especially of tomatoes.

John was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Jim; and his grandparents, James R. and Frances Nuttle of El Dorado, KS and James and Queene McNee of Cottonwood Falls, KS. Survivors include his wife of fifty-two years, Valerie; daughters, Emily (Russell) Roberson of Little Rock and Elaine (Beau) Kemp of Wynne; grandsons, Will, John Henry and Grant Roberson and Finnegan and Gavin Kemp; sister, Janet (Preston) Harness of Iowa Point, KS; brother, Jerry (Sallie) McNee of Stilwell, KS; mother-in-law, Jan Dobbs of Little Rock; sister-in-law, Denise Noe of Austin, TX; aunt, Eda Woolf-Nixon of Sawyer, KS; cousins; beloved nieces and nephews; and Raefani (Ramon) Green, who he called his "extra daughter" and their children.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the physicians and staff of Cornerstone Specialty Hospital of Little Rock, CHI St. Vincent Infirmary, and St. Vincent Heart Clinic Arkansas.

The memorial gathering will be 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Sunday, December 17, 2023 at Moore's Funeral Home, with a Celebration of Life at UUCLR 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 13, 2024, followed by refreshments in the Thomson Fellowship Hall, 1818 Reservoir Rd.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Pulaski Heights Music Academy Scholarship fund, UUCLR, or the charity of your choice.