Ralph A. Kee (1935-2026) passed away peacefully on February 4th, 2026, surrounded by his family at Forestdale Park in Malden, Massachusetts.

Born on December 24th, 1935, Ralph was the first child of George and Dorothy Kee of Concord, New Hampshire. His siblings Ronald and Rita were born in 1937 and 1942.

Ralph met Joan (Joanne) Paige at a Concord High School square dance.

Ralph attended the University of New Hampshire studying agriculture, planning to be a farmer, and learned to love working at Baskins farm during the summers. Ralph felt a stirring, however, that changed his plans, and enrolled at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois. Joanne also went to Moody Bible, and they were married on June 14th, 1958. Doreen was born in 1963 and Dana in 1966.

In 1971 the family moved to Boston to begin working in the ministry of church planting. Many churches in Boston and beyond can be traced back to the initial church plant of South End Neighborhood Church. Churches, planting churches, planting churches.

Ralph enjoyed camping, canoeing, hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, and biking and birding. Family vacations consisted of traveling together and enjoying these activities.

Joanne passed away on March 10th, 1984, of cancer at 46 years old.

Ralph began running long distances specializing in marathons and ultramarathons. He became an accomplished ultra-distance runner, crushed 50 and 100 mile races and received many medals and awards.

Ralph and Judy were married on May 16th, 1987, and started a 38-year partnership, continuing to serve in the South End of Boston, Malden, and beyond.

Together Ralph and Judy enjoyed extensive worldwide travel and were able to also take kids and grandkids to places like France and Scotland.

Hundreds of lives have been positively influenced through Ralph’s compassion and commitment to all people; he was dedicated to Christ.

Ralph was the beloved husband of Judith “Judy” G. Kee with whom he shared 38 years of marriage and the late Joan (Paige) Kee. Devoted father of Doreen (Maurice) McMurry of Columbia, MO and Dana (Chara McMurry) Kee of Franklin, MO. Proud grandfather of Lindsay (Dennis) Youngbluth, Rex (Anne Wells) McMurry, Issac (Katie Jardine) McMurry, and Josiah, Noah, Timothy, and Joanne Kee. Loving brother of Rita (late Dennis) McDonald of Concord, NH, and the late Ronald Kee, and brother-in-law of Richard (Ruth) Paige, Jr., of Mesa, AZ, William (Karen) Paige of Concord, NH, Joyce (Arthur) Mott of Middleburg, PA, Kimball (Nora) Gay of Nashua, NH, Carol (Gene) Bailey of Minot, ME, the late Arthur (Joann) Gay and the late Shawna Winn. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Family and friends are invited to gather in honor of Ralph's life during Visiting Hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Monday, Feb. 9 from 10am–12pm, and for his Funeral Service at 12pm. For those taking public transportation, please take the Orange Line to Oak Grove. Private interment in Blossom Hill Cemetery, Concord, NH.

To view the live stream of the Funeral Service, please click here.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Ralph may be made to the Emmanuel Gospel Center, PO Box 240017, Dorchester, MA 02124, or the South End Neighborhood Church, PO Box 180740, Boston, MA 02118, or Missions Door, 20118 N. 67th Ave., Suite 300-616, Glendale, AZ 85308.