James Coy “Mac” McCelvey, age 103, passed away February 11, 2019 in Houston, Texas. He was a wonderful father and grandfather, and our link to a way of life that has faded away. He was born April 9, 1915, on a farm in Houston County, Texas, the ninth of eleven children, to James Thornton and Lucy Della McCelvey. The family grew cotton and most of their own food, plowing with mules. He knew a former Civil War soldier, and a former slave. The area had no electricity when he was a child, and he practiced reading by candle and lantern light. His early education was in Ratcliff and Arbor, Texas.
Mac was the only person we knew who served in three branches of the armed forces. At age 18, during the depths of the depression, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and served for four years. After discharge, he moved to Houston and went to work. Just prior to the US entry into WWII, he was drafted into the Army for training, then discharged after six months. In 1944 he enlisted in the Navy and served on an aircraft carrier, chasing German U-boats in the Atlantic.
Mac worked for the Well Equipment Company (WECO, later merged into the FMC Corporation) for almost 45 years. He loved his work and progressed from a machinist on the factory floor to regional sales manager. He was responsible for hiring and mentoring many of the salesmen who helped grow the company. He was very proud to have graduated from the sales management program at Syracuse University. Aside from his family, the oil business was his great passion.
Mac was married to Rita Lewis McCelvey for forty years prior to 1991. He lived in the same house in Oak Forest for over 60 years and touched the lives of many of the residents in that community. He loved to walk in the neighborhood, talking with whomever might be out in their yards that day. His generosity included gifts of home-grown oranges, pecans from the big tree in the front yard, and honey from his hives. Those who knew him well remember his unyielding battle with the rampaging neighborhood squirrels. He and Rita also bought some farmland near Tomball, Texas in 1965. It was a great release for him to work on the property, raising a few cattle and a large vegetable garden.
Mac is survived by his son Michael and fiancé Bichlan Thai; son Patrick and wife Barbara; daughter Debra Hayes; grandchildren Abbie Dollar, James McCelvey, Leah Carriveau, Daniel McCelvey, Shawn Hayes, Morgan McCelvey, Mason McCelvey; and three great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and all of his siblings.
The family would like to thank the caregivers of Brookdale, the Heights, and Tranquility Personal Care Home for their compassionate care of Mac over the last year, and to Linda Canning for her help to Mac and the family over many years.
In lieu of customary remembrances kindly consider a contribution in Mac’s name to the Conner Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 148, Ratcliff, TX 75858, or to the charity of your choice.
The oldest hath borne most; we that are young
Shall never see so much, nor live so long.
William Shakespeare
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