Fred E. McAlister

FRED E. MCALISTER, age 80, loving husband, father, friend and teammate passed away on November 23, 2008 at his home in Katy, Texas with his wife by his bedside. He was born on March 1, 1928 in Lynchburg, Virginia to parents, Grace and Fred E. McAlister. He is survived by wife, Patty Neal Hunter McAlister of the Katy, Texas home; three daughters, Kathy Stewart, Kelly Crawfort, Kara Wilson and his three step-children, Brenda Martin, Lori Moore and Bobby Hunter. McAlister was the grandfather of eleven and the great-grandfather of three. He is also survived by sisters, Betty Bomar and Lou Deacon of Lynchburg, Virginia. He is preceded in death by siter, Connie Manin, a brother, Mickey and both parents. The McAlister's are members of First Baptist Church of Katy. McAlister attended school in Lynchburg and was employed by the St. Louis Cardinals baseball organization at the age of 17 in 1945. He was employed for 63 years by the Cardinals until the time of his death. His only break from this employment was his active duty enlistment in the U.S. Navy for two years beginning in 1946. McAlister served the St. Louis team in nearly every capacity from player to Scouting Director. His achievements and accolades have been numerous during his six decades of baseball. In a 1988 Sports Illustrated story, then Cardinal General Manager, Dal Maxvill called McAlister "the most valuable person in the Cardinal organization. USA Today is quoted as saying "Legendary Scouting Director Fred McAlister, a little known source of so much of the franchise's success." In 1994, Walt Jocketty, then General Manager of the Cardinals, named their annual scouting award given to the teams best scout, the "Fred McAlister Award." In 1997 he was chosen Midwest Scout of the Year by the National League Scout of the Year Foundation for his "excellence in scouting, years of service and professionalism in the performance of his job." Lynchburg, Virginia honored McAlister in 1998 with his induction into the Lynchburg Sports Hall of Fame. Texas honored McAlister in 2001 with his inclusion into the Texas Scouts Hall of Fame in Dallas, TX. The family wishes to express their appreciation to the St. Louis Cardinals organization for their expressions of sympathy and support. Visitation will be from 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home with a Remembrance Memorial beginning at 6:00 P.M. Funeral Services will begin on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 at 10:00 A.M. at First Baptist Church of Katy, 600 Pin Oak Road. Dr. Charles Wisdom will officiate. Join us in celebrating Freddie by visiting our memorial at www. MEM.com. Please share your thoughts and fond memories with our family.