Mr. Albert Andrew Nagel Jr.

Albert Andrew Nagel, Jr., age 97, of Lilburn, GA (formerly of Atlanta, GA) passed away on November 23, 2019. Mr. Nagel was born April 19, 1922 in Chicago, IL. He was the 5th of 10 children born to German immigrants.

He married the love of his life, Kathryn McKeigue on November 23, 1940. After the birth of his first two children, Albert John and Carol Ann, he enlisted in the Navy on July 13, 1944. Mr. Nagel trained in the Great Lakes and in the swamps of Louisiana. In the Philippines during WWII, he served as a Merchant Marine, Gunner’s Mate Third Class, under General MacArthur on the Liberty ship SS Helena Modjeska. While on the ship, he designed and built a speed boat from scratch and also helped remove the appendix of a fellow serviceman.

In 1948, the Nagel family moved to Racine, WI, where Al served as general manager of Thrifty Sandy’s for six years. In 1954 he moved his family to Atlanta, Ga to join Jacobson Manufacturing. He traveled to nine Southern states including Cuba and Puerto Rico, while setting company sales records for 13 years straight. After the move to Atlanta he had two more children, Bonnie Jean and Cheryl Lynn. Mr. Nagel was a longtime member of St. Anthony’s Church and served as their athletic coach for football and basketball.

In 1972, Mr. Nagel signed with Mr. Mini Bike in Decatur, GA. Soon after, he purchased the company and renamed it MCA Enterprises, Inc., which he ran with his son AJ. After an invitation to drive one of their kid karts at Barnesville Speedway, Al and AJ decided to venture into the go-kart racing business. The slogan, “Run up front with MCA” could be seen around go-kart tracks in Georgia and throughout the southeast. With their fast race engines and speed secrets, they helped countless drivers cross the finish line first. To help advance the sport of go-kart racing in Georgia, Mr. Nagel was instrumental in starting Dixie Karting Association. He was affectionately called “Boss Man” at the track, as he typically found a way to be in charge. After the closure of MCA in 1990, Al continued working sales positions until his mid-80s.

Throughout his life, he delighted friends and family with his gift of telling stories, whether they were about his heroics during WWII, his antics golfing with clients while a traveling salesman or an occasional rant about politics. His home was always an open door for friends and family for as long as they needed to stay.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years; Kathryn; his daughter, Carol Ann Bell; his daughter-in- law, Nancy Winters Nagel; his great-grandson, Matthew Nagel; his siblings, Mildred, Theresa, Norman, Clarence, Anna Rose, Edmond, and Joan; and his dear friends Jack & Lorraine Gray.

Surviving are son; Albert J. Nagel; daughters, Bonnie Jean Maddock and Cheryl Lynn Nagel; grandchildren, Diana Nagel Johnson, Angela Nagel Konzer, John Nagel, Charlotte Nagel Vann, Teresa Bell Jones, Kathryn Bell Belyew, Heath Maddock, Corey Maddock, Lacie Maddock Leoci, and Rudy Maddock; 38 great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; and the dear brother of Don and Mary Lou.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 30, 2019 at 11:00 am at Carmichael-Hemperley Funeral Home, 135 Senoia Rd., Peachtree City, GA 30269. The family will receive friends Saturday morning prior to the service from 9 am to 11 am. Interment to follow at College Park Cemetery, with military honors.

Flowers will be accepted, or donations can be made to the Fayetteville chapter of Quilts of Valor, ATTN: Nettie Wilson, QOV Rep. South Atlanta Counties, 116 Trammel Rd., Fayetteville, GA 30214. Please note Albert Nagel, #21017