Otis Carl McGee Sr.

Otis C. McGee Sr. was the oldest of three sons born in Houston, Texas to Mr. Maxie Lee McGee and Mrs. Eurie Lee Thomas McGee. His father and two brothers, Maxie Jr. and Craig, preceded him in death. As a youngster, Otis (nicknamed Bunky by his family), was greatly influenced by his grandparents, Mr. Odie and Mrs. Saide Thomas of Bryan, Texas. From them, he learned to live at peace with everyone, to work hard and to follow God's word. He had a quiet demeanor and a gentle spirit which endeared him to family, friends and community. Otis recieved his early spiritual guidance at Eighth Street Church of God In Christ in the Heights. As a teenager, he united with Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, where he was baptised by the late Rev. W. E. Walker. While at Mt. Sinai, under the spiritual leadership of S. J. Gilbert, Sr., he grew to love the Lord and developed a faith that sustained him in all situations. In 1995, the spirit lead him to Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church where he was welcomed by Dr. C. C. Lewis and the entire congregation. When illness struck, he bravely accepted God's plan for his life and gladly shared many testimonies about how the Lord worked on him, especially to young men in the community. His last spoken testimony was shared with Pastor Dayle Perry two days before the Lord called him home: "It's just good to know Jesus. I'm Glad I know the Lord." Otis was an outstanding athlete in Houston ISD at Harper Junior High, at John H. Reagan High School and later in college at Northwood Institute and Bishop College in Dallas, Texas. He took great pride in the time he spent as a parent volunteer working with special needs athletes preparing for Special Olympics compitetions. He often found the time to travel with them in Texas and Florida. He was an avid deer hunter and enjoyed hunting the acres of land that had been in his family for many generations. Otis worked more than 25 years in the field of Veterinary Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Early in his life, he met Garylyn Sampson on the steps of the old church in the Heights. They were married on December 24, 1971 by Pastor S. J. Gilbert Sr. Their children, Courtney, Otis and Robert and his grandchildren were the joy of his life. He leaves a lifetime of love and precious memories with Garylyn, his wife of 43 years; his adoring mother, Mrs. Eurie Lee McGee; his loving daughter, Courtney Bobino and her husband Steven Bobino; his son and best friend Otis Jr., his son and best buddy ever Robert. Sisters: Robbie Gill, Patsy Spates (Walter), Ruby Jewel Adams, Willie Rae Bennett, Terri Rose and Barbara Bennett. Grandchildren: Vivian Myracle, Cydney, Nasier, Steven III, Tyson and Jamary and their mother, Ivirah Curvey, Malcolm and Mauricia King and baby Miles. Nieces: Nya Gill and Amanda Whiting. Aunts: Mrs. Ruby L. Rose of Houston, Mrs. Ruth Thomas of Bryan Texas, and Mrs. Mabel Stanton of Chicago, IL, and Mrs. Marie McGee Tacoma, WA. Uncle: Mr. Daily Rose. Cousins too numerous to name and special friends who he loved like family: Jerry B. Young, Olan Young, Dr. Talya Mintz and the Gilbert Family.