George Nairne Magee Jr.

Published 10:20 am Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Funeral services for George Nairne Magee Jr. are Tuesday, June 23, 2015, at 10 a.m. at Monticello United Methodist Church. Wilson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation was Monday, June 22, 2015, from 5 until 9 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home.

Mr. Magee died Saturday, June 20, 2015, at his residence in Monticello. He was born Jan. 25, 1929, in Edinburg, Texas to George Nairne Magee Sr. and Ann Lipscomb Magee.

He was the grandson of G. Wood and Julia Fairman Magee. He completed his education at North Texas State University with a degree in industrial arts education. In 1953, he married Virginia Varner in Odessa, Texas. He drafted into the army in 1954 and served two years. Three daughters were born to this union, Mary Catherine (Langley), Martha Lu (Watts) and Margery Susan (Kimmel). After 17 years with Mid-Continent Supply Co., (oilfield supply company), he taught vocational drafting at Sam Houston High School in Houston, Texas and then joined Bechtel Engineering firm as a project engineer in Houston and Gaithersburg, Maryland.

In 1974, the family moved to Monticello where he changed directions to agriculture as the owner of Magee Tractor Co., succeeding his uncle, Fairman “Red” Magee. After selling the business in 1984 he worked with Kubota dealers in Brookhaven until retirement, then joined Ace Hardware in Monticello. An active Presbyterian, he enjoyed teaching Sunday school in Houston, was a Boy Scout leader, later an Explorer Scout post leader. Square dancing was an important social activity for over 50 years; in 1976 the “Pearl River Promenaders” was formed and enjoyed for many years. The Monticello Lions Club was a very meaningful involvement, as well as the Methodist Men activities. He was involved with the formation of the Animal Rescue League and instrumental in building the animal shelter. Mr. Magee also served on the Board of Alderman of Monticello two terms from 1997 to 2005.

Preceding him in death were his twin brother, Gene Lipscomb Magee; brother, Lawton Wood Magee; niece, Leigh Ann Lane; nephew, Michael Magee; and grandson, Trevor Kimmel.

Survivors are his wife, Virginia (Ginny); daughters, Mary Langley (Ray), Martha Watts (Robert) and Margery Kimmel (Mark); brother, Mark Magee of Brownsville, Texas; sisters-in-law, Eliza Magee of Harlingen, Texas and Audre Magee of Weatherford, Texas; grandchildren, Travis, Jeremy, Luke Watts, Matthew, Lauren Langley, Zachary and Troy Kimmel and Heather Logue; nine great-grandchildren; six nieces and nephew, Liz Anderson, John Magee, Julia Magee, Patrick Magee, Kimberly D’anda and Russell Magee.

Memorials can be made to the Monticello Lions Club or Palmer Home for Children in Columbus.