James "Jim" G. McKee, 43, Lafayette, passed away in Lafayette on February 24, 2015 of natural causes. Jim was born in Lafayette on June 2, 1971. He is the son of Patricia A. McKee of Lafayette and Robert N. McKee of West Lafayette. Jim grew up in Battle Ground and graduated from Harrison High School. "Big Jim" as his friends knew him, worked as a plumber with Benjamin Franklin. He was a skilled carpenter and was in the midst of a complete remodeling of his home in Lafayette. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved camping and fishing trips. He was especially happy at home with is smoker and grill where he spent hours cooking and perfecting his award-winning barbequed spare ribs recipe. Along with his parents, Jim is survived by his sister, Bobbe (Keith) Molter, girlfriend Kim Clark and numerous cousins and beloved aunts, uncles, and close lifelong friends. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, March 6, 2015 at 7:00 pm at the Unitarian Universal Church, 333 Meridian Street, West Lafayette, IN with Rev. Charlie David officiating. In lieu of flowers donation can be made to the Unitarian Universal Church or a charity of your choice.