Alan Rimes McElveen

1943 - 2021

Alan Rimes McElveen
Alan Rimes McElveen entered fully into the presence of his Lord on October 17, 2021, with his wife and sons by his side. He would have been 78 on Friday. Alan is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Cheryl Gibbons McElveen, sons and daughters-in-law, Alan Rimes (Kathryn) McElveen, Jr. of Travelers Rest, SC, and Zachary Gibbons (Kylie) McElveen of Atlanta, GA, and also by his brother, Harry (Sylvia) McElveen of Cumming, GA. Alan was an adored "Papa" to his six grandchildren, Luke, Samuel, Dave, Anna, Watson, and Sloane McElveen. He is also survived by nieces and nephews, Bill (Liz) McElveen, Merri Black, Ginny (Tony) Hall, Sidney (Sarah) Baxter, and Joshua (Debra) Striker, and a number of great- nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his devoted parents, Harry and Bertie Lee McElveen, and sister-in-law, Lynn Striker. Alan was born on October 22, 1943, and raised in Sylvania, where he swam competitively and loved teaching swimming to countless children, hunting, and riding horses. He graduated from Screven County High School in 1961. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.S. in Pharmacy in 1966. At UGA, Alan was captain of the swim team, in ROTC, President of Sigma Chi fraternity, and forever a zealous Bulldogs fan. Alan has made his home in Gainesville, since 1960, where he owned McElveen's Pharmacy for 50 years. He was an active member of First Baptist Church of Gainesville where he served as a deacon and Chairman of the ushers, as well as a longtime leader in the community through Rotary Club, the Georgia Pharmaceutical Association, and numerous other civic engagements. Alan is widely known as the unofficial founder of the annual Men's Ski Trip. He brought an inspiring enthusiasm and adventurous spirit to everything he did and especially enjoyed sharing his love of Georgia football, snow skiing, tennis, running, biking, and travel with family and friends. Alan's greatest joys were his family and the love of Jesus Christ and close behind was his love of UGA and the Bulldogs. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him, but his warmth, generosity, and joyful spirit will remain alive through the many people he cared for, influenced, and inspired, and through the stories he lived and told, many of which were mostly true. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, October 21, in Alta Vista Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., that afternoon in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Gainesville, with an outdoor reception to follow at the church, in the sanctuary. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to First Baptist Church, 751 Green Street, Gainesville, GA, 30501, Family Promise, 3606 McEver Road, Oakwood, GA 30566, or a charity of your choice. Memorial Park Funeral Home North Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Drive, is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences, www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com. Our family and friends have been seriously affected by the coronavirus, and we try to take every possible precaution against exposure. Masks, worn over the nose and mouth, will be required of all those in attendance, at all times, when indoors at the service. Please respect this requirement. Ushers will be seating people as far apart as space allows.
The Times
October 20, 2021