J.C. McCain Jr.

Graveside services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 15, 2016 at Crestwood Cemetery. Visitation will be at Collier-Butler Funeral Home from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, July 14, 2016. Collier-Butler Funeral and Cremation Services is directing.

Mr. McCain served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a paratrooper with the 187th Regimental Combat Team “The Rakkasans”. He achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and was awarded numerous commendations including 2 Bronze Stars. He was discharged from the 101st Airborne.

Mr. McCain was employed by Republic Steel Corporation and later LTV Steel for 44 years. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing and hunting deer and turkey. He held a lifetime record of 185 wild turkey.

Mr. McCain spent much of his time restoring military vehicles and attending military shows. His vehicles were always on display in downtown on First Friday.

Mr. McCain was an avid fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide, who enjoyed attending games any chance he could. On any given morning he could be spotted at Jack’s on Rainbow Drive in a houndstooth fedora.

Mr. McCain is preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Nelta Faulkner McCain; parents, J.C. and Nola McCain; and brother, Gilford “Bill” McCain.

Mr. McCain is survived by his daughter, Lynn McCain; sons, Barry (Dawn) McCain, Tim McCain, and Gary McCain; grandchildren, Carlie McCain, Nancy McCain, Keeley McCain, Alexander McCain Walley, Jesse McCain, and Gary McCain, Jr.; great-grandson, Kaden Redmond; great-granddaughter, McCain Dennis; and sisters, Sally Gilmer, and Marie Kirk.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Alexander McCain Walley, Jesse McCain, Gary McCain, Jr.; and nephews, Jay McCain, Kenny Gilmer, and Pat Kirk.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Noccalula Hunting Club.

“Big Pop” as he was affectionately known, will leave a warm place in our heart when we think of him and a smile on our face for all the joy and happiness he brought into our lives.

In lieu of flowers, please make donation to the North Gadsden Baptist Church Building Fund.