Eric Mcgee

of Hoover, died Tuesday, July 26, 2005. He was born October 9, 1914 in Hartford, Alabama. He is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Cornelia Knox McGee. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Gay Craig McGee. He is survived by a brother Val Lloyd McGee of Ozark, Alabama, and a sister Janet McGee Dickson of Vienna, Virginia. He is survived by six children, Dorothy Gay Whitson of Birmingham; J. Gertrude “Trudy” Baxter (William F. “Billy”) of Kingsport, TN; Melanie Goodson (Lance) of Birmingham; Amy Houston (Greg) of Birmingham: Eric G. McGee, Jr. (Sarah) of Birmingham; and Anne Canada (Steve) of Marianna Florida. He is survived by 12 grandchildren including Gina Whitson Gamble (Jon): Lance, Jr. and Natalie Goodson; Marshall and David Houston; William, Kyle, and Caroline McGee (all of Birmingham), and Brent, Brooke Anna, Lauren, and Melanie Canada (all of Marianna, Florida). He is survived by 3 great-grandchildren: Claire, Lucy, and Sally Gamble of Birmingham. Numerous family, extended family, and friends were impacted by his warm guidance, wise counsel, and genuine concern throughout their lives. Influenced early by his mother Ammie Speigner McGee, he placed a strong emphasis on both formal and lifelong education for his entire family, helping his younger siblings and ensuring that all of his children had the opportunity to attend college. He attended Young-Harris College in Georgia, and graduated from the University of Alabama in 1939 with a degree in mechanical engineering. While attending Alabama, he became a member of the Delta Chi fraternity. Upon graduation he worked for 35 years with U.S. Steel in Birmingham. After retiring from U.S. Steel in 1975, he was founder and CEO of his own consulting and manufacturing businesses for 25 years. Throughout his career, he was known for his innovation and creativity, seeing potential in the ordinary, and continually planning, sketching, and tinkering. He was a long time member of Shades Mountain Baptist Church and a previous member of Central Park Baptist church. During the war when his work in the steel industry was considered an “essential” service and kept him in the USA, he became a Boy Scout Leader to provide a positive role model for young men, serving for 25 years. He was also quite active with the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce and Civitans. Mr. McGee was an avid supporter of Crimson Tide football, having worked his way through college in the athletic department. He traveled with the team to two Rose Bowls, serving as spot announcer. Many can remember seeing him at games years later staying to the bitter end (rain, snow, or shine) during those rare lopsided UA losses. He displayed a similar devotion and determination toward most everything in life that mattered. Eric will be most remembered for his great love of family, maintaining close contact with his extended network of relatives. All his life, he especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends in Grayton Beach, Florida. A charming conversationalist, he was a contagious optimist for whom "the glass was always brimming over". He was truly in his element hosting the weddings of his five daughters and considered such events a wonderful time for families to gather in celebration. He always insisted that his funeral be a similar time of joy in celebration of his transition to eternity with his heavenly father. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to The Boy Scouts of America or Shades Mountain Baptist Church. The family will receive friends on Thursday, July 28, 2005, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home, Hwy. 150, Hoover. Funeral service will be on Friday, July 29, 2005, at 10:00 a.m. at Shades Mountain Baptist Church with Dr. Steve Canada and Rev. Bill Reed officiating. Interment will follow in Jefferson Memorial Gardens, South. Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home directing.