Earl Richard McNees, age 96, of Memphis passed away peacefully in his home, and went to be with his Lord on April 10th 2014. He joins his wife of 64 years, Louise, in heaven. Earl was born in Danville, Illinois, the son of Charles and Mary McNees, and was the youngest of three brothers and two sisters. He grew up in Danville until he joined the National Guard in 1939. With the start of World War II, Earl, was mobilized with the National Guard. Later he went to Air Cadet training at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio and eventually was sent to the China-Burma-India theatre of operations for the remainder of the war. His awards include Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, and Asiatic Pacific Service Medal with Bronze Star. In 1943, Earl married Eleanor Louise Perry of Memphis Tennessee, and his son, Richard Kenneth was born in 1944. When the war ended Earl settled in Memphis, and he and Louise had two daughters Linda Diane and Maureen Louise. Earl worked for 20 years in Memphis with Borg Warner. Later he joined Memphis Transit Authority as a machinist and retired in 1979. He was a member of Broadmoor Baptist Church. Earl was a Master Mason active in Masonry for over 50 years and a member of Unity B.G. Lodge 95. Earl is survived by his son, Richard Kenneth McNees of Crowley Texas, and his two daughters, Linda Diane McNees of Memphis, Tennessee and Maureen Louise McNees Ruska of Austin, Texas. He was blessed with three grandchildren, two great- grandsons, a great-granddaughter, and two great-great-grandsons. Earl McNees was a wonderful husband and father. He was always a giving and loving man. He was an inspiration to his family and will be much missed by all them. Graveside servcie will be at 10 a.m. Monday, April 14 at Forest Hill East Cemetery with visitation from 9-10 a.m prior to the service. Forest Hill Funeral Home, East 901-382-1000