Maj. Vernon McGee

[ironputts]

October 54, 2022

Maj. Vernon McGee
Rushmore Composite Squadron
South Dakota Wing

Vernon McGee 89 of Rapid City passed away Monday, September 5, 2022.

Vernon was born to Malcom Daniel and Eula (Westerfield) McGee on April 1, 1933, in Jackson, MS. He married Dr. Nancy Fay Phipps on November 6, 1998, in Rapid City, SD.

Vernon had a long career both in the military service and as an industrial arts teacher in Houston, TX. He served eight years in the US Marines having made the Inchon Landing during the Korean War. He later served as a reservist in both the US Army and US Air Force for a brief stint. Then he enlisted in the US Coast Guard where he rose to the rank of Warrant Officer Fourth Class. He later retired after serving twenty-two years.

Vernon belonged to numerous civic organizations including several Masonic bodies and held memberships in the American Legion, Marine Corp League, Navy League, Texas State Teachers Assoc and DAV. He was a 52-year member of Civil Air Patrol. He received honors as outstanding teacher of the year from TEA, military reservist of the year in Houston, TX, Golden Trowel by Grand Lodge of Texas, outstanding Mason of the year Yuma Lodge 17, and several military civil air patrol awards during his lifetime.

Vernon is survived by his wife Nancy Fay Phipps, daughter; Cynthia (Lance) Weaver, grandchildren; Michael, Lucinda, Benjamin Weaver, Anne Sewell, as well as 2 brothers, 2 sisters, many friends and extended family will be badly missed by all for his loving and supportive presence.

Vernon was preceded in death by 5 brothers, sister, granddaughter Michele Chambers, parents, son Vernon Jr, and daughter Charlotte McGee.