Randy McKee Obituary

Like a ringmaster at a 10-ring circus, La Plata County Fair Board President Randy Lee McKee knew what was happening in every corner of the fairgrounds when August rolled around. Yet, he died Feb. 11 from complications of the H1N1 influenza virus at Mercy Regional Medical Center. He was 60.

He had served on the board for 30 years and been president for 25.

"He really thought things through and weighed them before making a decision," fellow board member Melody Semler said. "People don't realize that he was working on the fair all year long and dealing with all kinds of details."

The fair, which runs for more than a week in August, encompasses a wide variety of events, from goat, swine, sheep, cattle and horse shows to pie and cake contests, art contests, a derby, a carnival and sales galore. Being board president meant working with everyone from 4-H members and fair royalty to homemakers, artists and vendors.

"He loved the whole fair," his son, Chad McKee, said. "But he was partial to livestock, and he was particularly partial to kids. His goal was always to bring in more but at the same time keep pushing forward the roots of the fair, what Colorado, Durango, La Plata County are all about."

One of his responsibilities was enforcing the rules.

"One of the rules is that kids must have turned in their livestock paperwork by 7 p.m. to participate in the sale," said Lorene Bonds, another board member. "I don't think those kids knew how heartsick he was when he had to tell them he couldn't bend the rules to let them in. I don't think they realized how hard it was for him until they got older."

Randy McKee's commitment to the fair went beyond longevity, too.

"Last year, he got sick and was at the emergency room until 4 a.m.," said Robert Campbell, a board member. "He went home, showered and went right to the fair to do his job."

Everyone involved in the fair said no one can fill Randy McKee's shoes.

"It's been weighing heavily on my mind and other board members' minds," Semler said. "We're all adults, and we're all there for the same reason; so we'll get it done, but it won't be the same."

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