Funeral service for MAJ (Retired) Edward Lee "Ed" Mckesson, Jr., will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, November 17, 2016 in Faith Bible Church with Rev. Leonard Reimer, Pastor officiating.

Burial will follow at a later date in Post Cemetery.  Arrangements are under direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

The family will greet friends from 6-8 pm Wednesday at the funeral home.

MAJ (Retired) Edward Lee "Ed" McKesson, Jr. died Saturday, November 12, 2016 in Lawton.  He was born November 26, 1936 in Dearborn, Michigan.  He grew up in Michigan and was a graduate of Flat Rock High School where he played and lettered in all sports.  Following graduation Ed was drafted into the U.S. Army.  He was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam and Korea. His awards include the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, Army Commendation Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal (20 Oak Leaf Clusters), National Defense Service Medal, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Army Aviator Badge, Four Overseas Service Bars, Senior Army Aviator Badge, Bronze Star Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster and the Vietnam Service Medal with Sixth Oak Leaf Cluster.  Perhaps his most treasured award was the Distinguished Flying Cross and his photo is to be hung in a new museum being built in Washington D.C.

Ed married Mary Helen Nottingham on February 7, 1958 in Lawton.  She preceded him in death on March 29, 2014.  Following his retirement from the Army Ed worked with his wife in her furniture and decorating business and soon learned he wanted to pursue other endeavors.  He sold insurance for a short time and then obtained his real estate license.  He worked for Parks-Jones Realty for several years as well as Keller-Williams and Lair Realty.  Ed served as the Executive Vice President for the Lawton Board of Realtors for more than 22 years, retiring in May 2016.

Ed was a member of Faith Bible Church where he served as Treasurer for over 40 years.  He was a member of the National and Oklahoma Board of Realtors, the Military Order of World Wars, the Fires Patriots, the Lawton Country Club and had been active with the Elks Lodge.  Ed continued to teach classes at the Lawton Board of Realtors following his retirement.

He enjoyed going to the casino, trips to Destin, Florida, his poker group and especially his grandkids.

He is survived by two daughters, Connie McKesson and Robert and Linda McKesson-Rabin and Richard; a son, Michael McKesson and Misty; eight grandchildren, Andrew Jenkins and Mandy, Matthew Jenkins, Kyle Harrison, Kyndall Barber and Melvin, Kallie Hunter and Zach, Lauren Mifflin and Brandon, Michael McKesson, Jr. and Jordan and Molly McKesson; 15 great grandchildren, Jacob, Raiden, Davyn, Karley, Katelyn, Kash, Lyllian, Braydon, Brayli, Terrell, Hallie, Jayden, Tristen, Bryson and Adrian; two brothers, Stephan McKesson and Bill McKesson and wife Peedee.

His parents, Edward Lee McKesson, Sr. and Anna McKesson, his step mother, Pearl Snuggs, and a sister Ruth Ann, preceded him in death.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mexican Mission Ministries, P.O. Box 636, Pharr TX 78577.