Mickey McGee
Jacob Wilson “Mickey” McGee Jr., 95, passed away peacefully Friday, April 10, 2015, at Pruitt Health in Harrisburg. McGee was a former bank president, Chamber of Commerce leader and longtime elected official in Concord, serving on the City Council, including a term as Mayor Pro-Tem, and on the school board.
He was born Aug. 21, 1919 to the late Jacob William McGee and Martha Norman McGee. He was also preceded in death by his loving wife, Helen Lee McGee and four brothers and sisters.
Mickey graduated from Lenoir Rhyne College and was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He was a captain, serving with Gen. Patton in the 3rd Army.
Mickey was president of Citizens National Bank and was named president of First Charter Bank when Concord National and Citizens National merged to form it.
He was an active member of St. James Lutheran Church where he had been the church treasurer for 45 years and had served as a Sunday school teacher. He was Chamber of Commerce president, a member of the Kiwanis Club, was chairman of the United Way and a member of Concord Rotary Club. He served on the Salvation Army Board of Directors for over 30 years and received the Lifetime Board Membership Award for this commitment.
He was a founding member of the NorthEast Medical Center Foundation and a member of the NorthEast Medical Center’s Board of Directors. Mickey served as a City of Concord Alderman for 12 years from 1965 to 1977 and as mayor pro tem from 1973 to 1977.
He had also been a member of the Concord City School Board and he held a key position on the city’s Light and Water Commission board from 1978 to 1986. In 2005 the Mickey McGee Park on Corban Avenue, was named in his honor by the City of Concord.
Survivors include his daughter, Martha M. Matthews and husband, Dan; sons, David L. McGee of Charlotte, Jake McGee of Liberty, NC, Steve McGee and wife, Debbie of Marietta, GA and Robert McGee and wife, Teressa of Bolivia, South America; grandchildren, Victoria, Amedee, Kelsey, Rebecca and Carissa McGee, Jason and wife Stephanie, Trevor and wife Ashleigh, and Patrick Matthews. A number of nieces and nephews also survive.
Memorials may be made to St. James Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 684, Concord, NC 28026-0684, or to Salvation Army, 216 Patterson Ave. SE, Concord, NC 28025 or to NEMC Foundation, 920 Church St N, Concord, NC 28025.
The family will receive friends Sunday, April 12, 2015, from 3 to 5pm at Wilkinson Funeral Home, Concord. A funeral service will be held Monday, April 13, at 10am at St. James Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Tony Bradshaw officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Mickey was born August 21, 1919 and was a native of Winston Salem.
Condolences may be left at www.wilkinsonfuneralhome.com. Wilkinson Funeral Home is serving the McGee family.
CITY OF CONCORD TRIBUTE
Following is a tribute to McGee prepared by the City of Concord:
Remembering J.W. “Mickey” McGee
August 21, 1919 – April 10, 2015
The City of Concord mourns the passing of Jacob W. “Mickey” McGee, who passed away early this morning at the age of 95. Mr. McGee served over twelve years (1965-1977) as a member of the Concord Board of Aldermen (now the City Council), including service as Mayor Pro-Tem. He also served as an elected School Commissioner in the 1950s, an elected Light and Water Commissioner from 1978-1986, and an appointed Historic Preservation Commission Member from 1991-1992. Born in Winston-Salem, he was a graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne College and a member of St. James Lutheran Church. He served as an Army officer during World War II. In addition to his public service, he had a career leading the Citizens National Bank, which in 1984 merged with Concord National Bank to form First Charter Bank.
The City named McGee Park, located at Corban Avenue and Branchview Drive, after him in 2005. The Mayor and several members of City Council interacted with Mr. McGee in various capacities, and offer the following reflections on his life:
Mayor J. Scott Padgett
Mr. McGee had all the qualities of a true southern gentleman. He was among a group of leaders that made Concord a wonderful place. Like so many of his generation, his service to our country during World War II was followed by years of service to this community. Concord is certainly better because of Mr. McGee.
Council Member Dave Phillips
I’ve known Mickey for many years and he has always been a gentleman, advisor, and a true friend. When I joined the Concord Rotary Club, he seated me beside of the seat he always sat in and asked me to sit there on a regular basis. He never lost interest in the City of Concord in his retirement and we had many great discussions about local government. Mickey was my friend and I will miss him greatly.
Council Member Jim Ramseur
Mickey was among the last of Concord’s former elected officials from our nation’s Greatest Generation. He helped pave the way for those of us who serve today. It was truly an honor to have known him and taken part in the naming of the J. W. ‘Mickey’ McGee Park.
Council Member Alfred M. Brown, Jr.
Mickey McGee was a mentor to me my entire life and someone who I respected greatly. He lived a servant life in his faith and was an example for all. Our community has lost an arsenal of wisdom but I rejoice in his final resting place. My prayers go out to his family.
Council Member Lamar Barrier
Mickey was known as a gentleman through his years of service to Concord. His sons are just a few years younger than me and we were students together at Concord High School. I remember him always being so nice, and he would treat everyone fairly. The City has lost two good men in him and Bob Baucom. They don’t make them like that anymore and they will be dearly missed.
