Lowell Eugene McGee

IN MEMORY OF: LOWELL EUGENE McGEE Serving Location: CRAIN PLEASANT GROVE-MURDALE FUNERAL HOME 31 Memorial Drive, Murphysboro, Illinois Lowell Eugene McGee, age 94 of Makanda, passed away from the land of the dying to the land of the living on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at the VA Community Living Center in Marion. He was born June 10, 1930 to Louis and Beulah McGee in Herrin. He married Mae Holder on July 9, 1949. Lowell retired in 1984 as a Lieutenant from the SIU Police force, where he had worked for 33 years. He was a member of the Illinois Police Association. He was a member of Union Hill Christian Church. He also served in the US Army, Signal Corp, during the Korean Conflict receiving two bronze stars. He loved traveling, camping, hiking and boating; he taught numerous family members to waterski. He enjoyed spending time with his family. He was mentally sharp and spiritually strong to the end when his earthly body declined to the point that he wanted to go the way of his ancestors. He was a man strong in faith, in moral integrity and in conviction that a man should choose to do the right thing. He had a great perception that there is a high calling on how a person should conduct himself and a healthy pride that one should have in doing any task. He never brushed something off or rushed through an activity just to get it done; he felt there was a right way of doing things and a man should gird himself up and be equal to the task. He had God-given abilities in understanding the mechanics of how things should operate and he developed those to the fullest. There was no project or situation that he deemed unachievable once he had set his mind to it. He was a man that hated arrogance and conceited pridefulness. He thought it was the responsibility of those that were blessed of God to be willing to be generous and to bless those less fortunate. He need not be glamorized in his death, but simply remembered for what he was, a good Christian man, a caring husband, a father that challenged his boys to do their best. A grand and great grandfather that was proud of his family and their love of God. Lowell is survived by his sons, Roger (Maria) McGee of Taylorsville, KY and Dennis (Julia) McGee of Clarksville, TN; grandchildren, Mandi (Kevin) Guthrie of Louisville, KY; Christy (Benjamin) Tarver of Thompson, GA and Valerie (Robert) Sagers of Newport, OR; 10 great-grandchildren, Grant, Janae, Kori and Ashlyn Guthrie; Maeleigh, Eleanor and Caleb Traver and Nathaniel, Rebekah and Elizabeth Sagers; siblings, Harold and Noble McGee and Peggy Forby; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Mae in 2019; brother, Philip McGee; grandsons, Matthew and Jeremy McGee; and great-granddaughters, Sarah and Hannah Tarver and Cora Sagers. Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 1, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home with Revs. Benjamin Tarver and Robert Sagers officiating. Interment will follow at Murdale Gardens of Memory. Visitation will be on Monday, July 1, 2024 from 10:00 AM until the time of service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, expressions of love may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital at stjude.org or to a charity of the donor’s choice. The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to Dr. Smith and the amazing staff at the VA Community Living Center Hospice for the outstanding care and compassion they bestowed on Lowell McGee. Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Lowell Eugene McGee

June 10, 1930 - June 12, 2024