John Alan McGee Sr.

John Alan McGee responded to his final retreat call on Thursday, September 25, 2014, at his home in Mertzon. Always a patriot, John spent 22 years serving his country as a member of the U S Army and the Texas National Guard. He joined the National Guard in 1958, attended Officer Candidate School in 1960 and Command and General Staff College in 1976, rising in ranks from a “slick sleeved” private to a Lt. Colonel. One of his regrets was that when Iraq was invaded during Desert Storm they wouldn’t take old guys with bad hearts. John was perhaps best known for his long career in radio and television. When asked what he did in that industry, his standard answer was “everything.” And that was true. He started as a disc jockey at a local radio station and ultimately served as Vice President and General Manager of KLST-TV. The years between found him selling radio and television advertising, station manager, working in Creative Services, sports, news, and as an early morning talk show host. One of his major achievements was the negotiation to change the television station call letters from KCTV-TV, which went to Kansas City, to KLST-TV (Lone Star Television).His work ethic was almost legendary. No task was too small to garner his full attention or too large to cause him to back away. He always told his children and grandchildren that if he could operate the concession at the old Guinn Baseball Field when he was nine years old, they should be able to match that and more. With a giving spirit, John served in various positions with numerous community and civic organizations. Most notably, John spent 14 years on the Irion County School Board and had served the past 13 years with the Concho Christmas Celebration Committee as chairman of the Lights of Christmas parade, and six years on the board of Friends of the Irion County Library.There are many words and phrases which describe John McGee: honest, loyal, love of God, love of country, good friend, leader, enthusiastic, fun loving, encouraging. His family was the most important thing in his life. The accomplishments of his wife, children, and grandchildren gave him great pleasure and he was quick to share their successes with anyone who would listen. A wry sense of humor and the ability to tell a story with a true poker face kept his audience guessing. He delighted in entertaining children, and an occasional adult, with his disappearing quarter trick. His enjoyment in entertaining also led him to participate for many years in the San Angelo Civic Theatre. It was during the 1957 production of “The Happy Time” directed by Jeff Miller that he started dating Suzanne Evans. Jeff always took credit for bringing the two together and said he started their Happy Time journey together. John and Suzanne were married on July 2, 1960 at the First Christian Church in San Angelo. John was born in San Angelo on October 17, 1936 to Granville Bowman McGee, Jr. and Juanita Snow McGee. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Billie Jean McGee Timmons and his brother Granville Bowman McGee, III. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, daughter Heather Morris, and sons John Alan McGee, Jr. and wife Lisa; and Robert Granville McGee all of Mertzon. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Hayley Morris and husband Zachary Dowdle of Columbia, MO; Jonathan, Derek, and Daniel McGee of Mertzon; Brittnae, Phillip, and Faith McGee, of Goodyear, AZ and Logan McGee, of Lubbock; one great grandson Caleb McGee of Goodyear, AZ; special family members LeAnn Rutherford and children Hank and Andrew Dareing of Mertzon; numerous nieces and nephews and their families; and a host of cherished friends.