Mr. John Harry McGilvra

John H. McGilvra, 74, of Diboll, was born January 7, 1935 in Lufkin, Texas, the son of the late Drady (Alsbrooks) and Charlie V. McGilvra. He passed away Tuesday, December 1, 2009 in a Houston hospital. Mr. McGilvra graduated from Hudson High School in 1954. He attended Lon Morris Junior College, played basketball at Lamar Tech, and graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1959 with a BS degree, Education, ME degree, and Mid-management certification. He coached at Liberty, Warren, Diboll and Cy-Fair Independent School Districts. He served as elementary principal at Hudson ISD and was an educator for 36 years, retiring in 1994. At the age of 10, Mr. McGilvra became a charter member of Cross Road Baptist Church. He was currently a member of First Baptist Church, Diboll. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Fran (Christopher) McGilvra of Diboll; sons and daughters-in-law, Neil and Brenda McGilvra of Claremont, CA and Chris and Armida McGilvra of Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren, Brooke McGilvra, Austin McGilvra and Devin McGilvra; sisters, Florence Womack of Lufkin and Dorthy Bratton of Houston; brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Norma K. McGilvra of Lufkin; and a number of nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. Pallbearers will be Chris McGilvra, Craig McGilvra, Mark McGilvra, Raymond Fletcher, Guy Davis and Mart Jordan. Honorary pallbearers will be Austin McGilvra, Vernon "Hoople" Jordan, Johnny Carter, William Allen Carlton, Taylor Jordan, Charlie Deaton, Ardie Dixon, Paul McGilvra, Ronald Womack, Richard Womack, Bruce Bratton, Gary Jones and Joe Wyatt. Services for Mr. McGilvra will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 5, 2009 in the Gipson Funeral Home Chapel, with Reverend Gary Fannon officiating. Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday evening at Gipson Funeral Home. Condolences may be offered at www.mem.com. Gipson Funeral Home; directors