Gibbs Rex McCormick Sr.

Gibbs Rex McCormick Sr., New Brockton, 88, passed away Thursday, March 15, 2007, at the Enterprise Nursing Home after an extended illness.

Funeral services will be today at 2 p.m., from the Chapel of Searcy Funeral Home, Enterprise, with the Rev. Perry Vickers officiating. Burial will follow at New Brockton City Cemetery with Searcy Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Searcy Funeral Home.

Mr. McCormick was born Aug. 5, 1918, in Crenshaw County, to Thomas Merida and Novella Lord McCormick. His early years were spent in Pine Level. After serving in the U.S. Navy, Gibbs worked in Seattle for Boeing Aircraft. In 1947, he moved to New Brockton and founded Propane Gas & Appliance Co., which he operated until his retirement in 1999. He was a pioneer in the propane industry and was widely known among his colleagues. In 1965-66 he served as president of the Alabama Propane Gas Association and remained active in the association throughout his career. He was instrumental in getting legislation passed to create the first Alabama LP Gas Board. After serving on the first board, he was later elected to serve other terms.

Gibbs was an avid outdoorsman and conservationist. One of his hobbies was raising Quarter Horses and Polled Hereford cattle. He was a member of the Southeastern Livestock Exposition and Alabama Cattleman's Association for many years. He was a charter member of the New Brockton Exchange Club and was involved with long-range planning for Camp Alaflo Boy Scout Camp. Some of his favorite times were spent with his Enterprise and Elba coffee groups. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of New Brockton, and was a former deacon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Joseph Benjamin McCormick of Pine Level and Thomas M. McCormick of Montgomery; and two sisters, Edna McNeil of Pine Level and Sara Broxton of New Brockton.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Mary Ellen Pinckard of New Brockton; one daughter, Donna McCormick Matthews (Rusty) of Orangeburg, S.C.; one son, Gibbs McCormick Jr. (Joy) of New Brockton; grandchildren Elizabeth Marycatherine (Kit) Dowling of Charleston, S.C., Gibbs Rex (Mack) McCormick III, of New Brockton, Joseph Benjamin (Jody) McCormick II, of Tuscaloosa, and Wesley Hendrick McCormick of Montgomery; two sisters, Georgia Elizabeth Olds, Warner Robbins, Ga., and Jean Segraves, Fort Valley, Ga.; a sister-in-law, Flora McCormick, Montgomery, and several nieces and nephews.

Active pallbearers will be Dr. Sam Sawyer, Dr. Dan Sawyer, Joe Sawyer, Roger Collier, Lee Boyd, and Mike Hines. Honorary pallbearers will be all past and present employees of Propane Gas & Appliance Co.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Enterprise Nursing Home and Compassionate Hands Hospice. Memorials can be made to the Alabama Sheriffs' Youth Ranch, P.O. Box 240009, Montgomery, AL 36124-0009, or the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center, McLean Hospital, 115 Mill St., Belmont MA, or to your favorite charity.

Searcy Funeral Home in Enterprise, (334) 347-2517, is in charge of arrangements.