Brian Charles McKee
May 16, 1977 — April 19, 2018
Brian Charles McKee, born on May 16, 1977 in Kansas City, Mo., passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, April 19, 2018 in Istanbul, Turkey. Brian had been in Istanbul for the last four years with his longtime girlfriend, Ai Kijima.
Brian Charles McKee
Brian attended school in Excelsior Springs before attending Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, where he graduated in 1995. He then attended Bard College in New York where in 1999 he graduated with a degree in literature and photography. From there he became a photographer of the world. His first shots were in E. Germany and Afghanistan, followed by 25 other countries. Most of his trips were made into a book at the Galerie Ernst Hilger in Austria.
For the past four years, Brian had been living and working in Turkey. He had started a new career in screenplay writing and had completed several scripts. However, he still continued shooting photos of abandoned societies, his signature images. He felt these societies represented the core of all of us. As Brian believed, it is what we leave behind and what we can tell from those remaining that defines us.
Brian is survived by his parents, Kathleen and Charles of Excelsior Springs, Mo.; brother, Kyle and wife Laura of Napoleon, Mo. and their two children Kennsington and Corbin. He also leaves behind aunts, uncles and cousins.
There will be a celebration of life to honor and view Brian’s achievements in writing and photography. The family will accept friends on Tuesday, May 8, from 5-6:30 p.m. at Bross and Spidle Funeral Home, Excelsior Springs, Mo. Please come and enjoy Brian’s creative soul.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to Children’s Mercy Hospital.
Arrangements provided by Bross and Spidle Funeral Home in Excelsior Springs, Mo.