John Finley McRae was born in Montgomery, Alabama, June 20, 1896
Son of George W.Finley(a Baptist Minister) and Fannie (Wilkes) McRae.
John was only 11 years old when the family moved to Mobile, Alabama.
Graduated from BARTON ACADAMY & Howard College (now Samford University) in Birmingham.
1915 Employed by Merchants Bank in Mobile as a stenographer and a runner;1919 was a cashier for same; by 1928 he was Vice President of the bank.
1934, married Lucille Thompson. John & Lucille were the parents of John Finley McRae, Jr., Mary Duncan McRae (Mrs. Plumer B. Tonsmeire), and Cynthia Jean McRae (Mrs. James Bailey).
1935, he was elected to the Board of Directors of the bank; he was Executive Vice-President of Merchants National Bank from 1937 to 1941.
1963, he was elected Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. He held these offices until he retired.
After WWII, John McRae was instrumental in the development of the Emest F. Ladd Memorial Stadium. The stadium became the home of the Senior Bowl. John McRae was dubbed "Father of the Senior Bowl" for his efforts in organizing that sporting event.
In 1955 he was selected "Mobilian of the Year", the University of Alabama conferred on him membership in Omicron Delta Kappa, honorary fraternity recognizing leadership; and Springhill College in Mobile awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 1963.
John Finley McRae was born in Montgomery, Alabama, June 20, 1896
Son of George W.Finley(a Baptist Minister) and Fannie (Wilkes) McRae.
John was only 11 years old when the family moved to Mobile, Alabama.
Graduated from BARTON ACADAMY & Howard College (now Samford University) in Birmingham.
1915 Employed by Merchants Bank in Mobile as a stenographer and a runner;1919 was a cashier for same; by 1928 he was Vice President of the bank.
1934, married Lucille Thompson. John & Lucille were the parents of John Finley McRae, Jr., Mary Duncan McRae (Mrs. Plumer B. Tonsmeire), and Cynthia Jean McRae (Mrs. James Bailey).
1935, he was elected to the Board of Directors of the bank; he was Executive Vice-President of Merchants National Bank from 1937 to 1941.
1963, he was elected Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. He held these offices until he retired.
After WWII, John McRae was instrumental in the development of the Emest F. Ladd Memorial Stadium. The stadium became the home of the Senior Bowl. John McRae was dubbed "Father of the Senior Bowl" for his efforts in organizing that sporting event.
In 1955 he was selected "Mobilian of the Year", the University of Alabama conferred on him membership in Omicron Delta Kappa, honorary fraternity recognizing leadership; and Springhill College in Mobile awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 1963.
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