A memorial service celebrating the life of John Douglas Magee, Sr. will be held at 2 P.M. on Nov. 17 in the Chapel at Marvin United Methodist Church in Tyler with the Reverend Allison Thompson officiating. The family will receive friends in the church parlor following the memorial service. Mr. Magee, 96, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010 after a prolonged illness in Mesquite, Texas.

Doug was born in Atlanta, Georgia on Nov. 18, 1913 and grew up in Charleston, South Carolina, where he attended schools and graduated from Charleston High School. Doug also attended the University of Utah.

He was employed with the American Smelting and Refining Company from 1935 to 1961 and with Nichols-Kusan Company of Jacksonville, Texas from 1961 to 1982. While at ASARCO, Doug was transferred from Los Angeles to Houston to establish a construction division for the company, which became the Lone Star Lead Construction Company, and he became General Manager. He was later transferred into the Federated Metals Division of ASARCO as General Sales Manager of the Southern Division. He held this position until leaving in 1961 to become Vice President of Industrial Sales for Nichols-Kusan. He retired from Nichols in 1982.

Doug was a member of the American Foundrymens Society, American Die Cutting Society, Society of Plastics Engineers (of which he was National Councilman for three years), Southwestern Furniture Suppliers Association (of which he was treasurer), Boy Scouts of America, Scottish Rite (32nd Degree Mason), Alpha Kiwanis, Tyler Petroleum Club, and the Men's Garden Club of Tyler. Doug was a member of Marvin United Methodist Church (Friendly Bible Class), served on the administrative board of the church, was a faithful worker in the Family Ministry Center with Bill Byerly, and was one of the founders of Marvin Menders, a volunteer group that performs repairs on houses of people who need help. He also served as a board member for the East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind for over 20 years. When he made his deliveries for Meals on Wheels, Doug would always spend a little extra time with the recipient, and he did this until he was nearly 90. Doug was also an avid reader, loved to travel, and was a keen observer of everything in the world around him. Doug was loved and greatly admired by his family and friends for his kindness and attentiveness and his eagerness to serve others. He was a true southern gentleman.

Doug is survived by Virginia Magee, his loving wife of 37 years, son Donald Edward Magee of Douglas, Texas, stepdaughter Judith Almon DuPuy of Garland, Texas, grandchildren Mark Magee of Boulder Creek, California, David Magee of San Francisco, Kristi Magee of Nacogdoches, Jeremy Magee of Douglas, Texas and Matthew Magee of The Woodlands, Texas. He was preceded in death by his son John Douglas Magee Jr. of Houston, his sister Louise Pinckney of Staten Island, New York, and his brothers Walter Magee of Charleston, Paul Magee of Houston, The Very Right Reverend Lynwood Magee of Charleston, and Franklin Magee of Custer, Washington.

Memorials may be made to the Marvin Menders c/o Marvin United Methodist Church, the East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind, or Meals on Wheels.

Obit From Lloyd James F. H. Tyler,TX.