Mr. James "Jim" Robert McGee

James “Jim” Robert McGee, 81, of Kerrville, Texas, died at New Haven Kerrville Assisted Living on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.

Jim was born in Galesburg, Illinois, on May 18, 1942 to the late William R. McGee and the late Jean L. (McLaughlin) McGee. Jim grew up with the love and support of his stepmother, the late Mary K. (Brown) McGee.

Jim married Carolyn Houlihan in East Peoria, Illinois, in 1962. She survives, as does their son, Brian McGee of Quincy, Illinois; two sisters, Linda McClay of Galesburg and Patti Patton of Washington, Illinois; two grandchildren and one step-grandchild. Jim is preceded in death by his son, Kevin McGee of East Moline, Illinois.

Jim graduated from Galesburg High School in 1960 and from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, in 1967. For 35 years he worked for General Motors Corporation at different manufacturing facilities in Anderson, Ind., where he had various management and supervisorial responsibilities. Carolyn and Jim lived in Anderson and in Summitville, Indiana, during their working years, after which they retired to Utopia, Texas.

Jim loved the peace and solitude of his rural life in Summitville and Utopia. He remained devoted throughout his life to his wife, Carolyn, while pretending to dislike several generations of Carolyn’s dogs, cats, and horses.

Other than his love for Carolyn and his children and grandchildren, Jim’s great passion was his ever-changing collection of vintage and performance cars. During his life he owned as many as a dozen cars at any one time, including several Chevrolet Corvettes and such vehicles as a Pontiac GTO, an Oldsmobile 442, and a Buick Grand National. Jim was an accomplished amateur mechanic, and his vehicles were beautifully maintained. Jim also kept a motorcycle for many years, and he taught his children to ride a motorcycle long before they began their high-school driver’s education.

For several decades, Jim’s idea for a perfect evening would include a ride in a convertible with the top down, followed by a cold beer and a pizza fresh from the oven or a steak from his own grill. He was an avid reader, and vacations with his family often included long conversations with his father and other family members about domestic politics, international relations, and the state of the global automotive industry.

Consistent with Jim’s wishes, cremation has been accorded. There will be a Graveside Service at East Linwood Cemetery in Galesburg Illinois. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Utopia United Methodist Church (P.O. Box 388, Utopia, Texas 78884) or the St. Francis Solanus Chapel at Quincy University (1800 College Ave., Quincy, Illinois 62301). For more information about a gift to Quincy University, where Jim’s son has worked, see https://www.quincy.edu/support-qu/how-to-make-a-gift/.

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