James Ray McGee
On Saturday, June 15, 2019, James Ray “Mac” McGee passed with peace and grace at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, GA following a brief battle with renal cancer.
Mac was born on January 21, 1961 in Batesville, AR to Jess and Laura Ruth McGee. He graduated from Southside High School, Batesville, AR in 1979, then attended Arkansas State University before joining the United States Armed Forces, serving his country in both Panama and Korea. On his return to the United States, Mac made Atlanta, GA his new home.
On September 25, 1999, he married Tracy Lynne Cowan and raised 2 beautiful daughters, Emily Jeanne and Lillabeth Laura.
Mac had a taste for the simple things in life. He enjoyed fishing, camping, gardening, and spending time with family and friends. A noted intellect and voracious reader, Mac always enjoyed spirited debate and stimulating conversation.
Mac was preceded in death by his father and mother Jess and Laura Ruth (Meachum); maternal grandparents Hubert Eagle and Maude Ray Meachum; paternal grandparents William Moorefield and Dell McGee; uncle and aunt Hubert J. and Marion Ray Meachum.
He is survived by his wife Tracy Lynne (Cowan); daughters Emily Jeanne and Lillabeth Laura. Sister and brother-in-law Cindy (McGee) and Rick Polston. Nephews Matthew and Joshua Carpenter and step-nephew Kyle Polston, all of Batesville, AR. Also surviving are in-laws David and Jeanne Cowan of Goodyear, AZ; Rebecca Cowan and Bruce Kazmierczak of Cornelia, GA; Kelly Cowan and Marc Berman of Atlanta, GA.
The family would also like to offer special thanks to cousins Jeanie Meachum Mencer (Andy) of Little Rock, AR and Teresa Meachum (Ned Rockwell) of Idaho Falls, ID.
A celebration of Mac’s Life will be held in Lakemont, GA, Saturday, July 13 from 3-7 pm. Please e-mail jrmmcgee1@gmail.com for further information.
In addition, the family would like to thank everyone for the prayers offered during this difficult time. The love and support received has been a testament to Mac’s impact on people’s lives.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Photo Gallery
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Will be greatly missed!!!
We are so sorry for your great loss. We love you all.
We miss you!
Missing you so very much
Missing you Mac
Prayers for you Cindy.
So sorry for your loss. Mac was a great guy. It was a pleasure to know him.
Mac will be missed very much and we will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers!
Love,
Ray & Jody
My husband’s best friend, our Best Man at our wedding. I’ve known Mac over 20 years. We miss you Mac but I know you are in heaven looking down on us no longer in pain.
Used to love his laugh, great hugs and intelligence. Till we see you again. Love you.
Mac, where ever you are, I hope the road always rises to meet you, the sun is always at your back, and I hope you were in Heaven a half-hour before the Devil knew you were dead. I love you, Man. You will live in my heart forever.
I knew James when he lived in Batesville. My mother worked for his father in a small grocery store. He lived up the road from me after I married and moved to Rosie. He was always a good kid. Thought of him often. Ruth Kent Cook.
So sorry for your loss James was a good friend of mine during school at Southside.
Cindy and family, Im so very sorry for your loss, I had not seen James in forever but still remember him when we were kids in school and hanging out….I remember how sweet he was, prayers to you and his family ♥️🙏🏻♥️
Pam Stephens
Cindy and family, I am so sorry for your loss. We love you and have you in our hearts and prayers.
Laura
Cindy and family, so sorry that you lost a loved one.
I remember James as a little kid. Thoughts and prayers.
Cindy and family, I’m so very sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love,
Melody Millikin Keller
Cindy and family: I am so very sorry. I had not seen James in years but in school, he was always friendly and smiling. Praying for all of you. So hard.
I am sorry for your loss you and james live up the road from papa james james wad good freind to me and in,school also just like yoy condy again i am sorry
Cindy so sorry to hear this. I remember James as a sweet little boy when we rode the school
Bus together. I know he will be missed Praying for your family
I will miss so many things about Mac…he was one of a kind. You never knew what would come out of his mouth. He made me smile and had the best laughs ever. I will miss you until the end of time. He was a great friend, husband and father to his kids. R.I.P. …until we meet again. 💜
You’ll never know what a BIG impact you had in so many lives. You were a special brother to Eddie and one that could always put a smile on so many faces. Your laugh was infectious and I’ll truly miss hearing your voice and always supplying me with that special laugh. It made me happy beyond words because it was so jolly. R.I.P. see you in the after life. You will be missed. 💜