Alex M. McRae

Alex Malcolm McRae of Newnan passed away on April 10, 2024, at Piedmont Newnan Hospital following a valiant battle with heart disease, surpassing his doctors' expectations and certainly his own. He was born on March 21, 1947, in New Orleans, Louisiana, the son of Alex and Erie Greene McRae. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery, Alabama, and Troy State University in Troy, Alabama. At both schools, music became a lifelong passion, and he remained close to his band friends throughout his life. During one memorable gig, he played backup for Stevie Wonder. Alex went on to pursue a career as a band director, first in Opp, Alabama, and then at Newnan High School, and he was fond of saying that he hoped he didn't inflict too much damage on his students.
Alex also worked in banking and real estate before landing at the Newnan Times-Herald, first as the anonymous columnist "Zeke Greene" and then as a reporter and feature writer. There, he became known for his witty and whimsical columns as well as the feature stories he enjoyed writing to spotlight Coweta's many unique individuals. When the newspaper launched its own TV station, he became one of the anchors for News Channel 9, an early morning program where his irreverent twist on the local news developed quite a fan following.
During a thirty-plus year career in journalism, Alex won over forty major writing awards and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. His newspaper columns were published in several Georgia newspapers, and his magazine feature stories appeared in New York-based Mediaweek, Atlanta magazine, South Walton Life, Newnan-Coweta Magazine, Speed! Illustrated, Paydirt and College Football Replay. His two books included a collection of his columns, Ain't No Gentle Cycle on the Washing Machine of Love, and his novel, Rough Draft, which was released in the spring of 2020. He was busily working on his second novel at the time of his death.
He leaves to treasure his memory his wife, Angela Webster McRae of Newnan; his beloved children, Heather (Brad) Willems of DePere, Wisconsin, and Hunter (Naomi) McRae of Buford, Georgia; his much-loved grandchildren, Bella McRae and Owen McRae of Buford and Michael Willems and Andrew Willems (aka "the Badger Boys") of DePere, Wisconsin; his sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Howard Kitchens of Anniston, Alabama; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. The family also wishes to acknowledge the outstanding care of his beloved Encompass home health nurse, Joanna Johnson (whom he nicknamed JoJo), and Dr. Andrew Darlington of Piedmont Newnan Hospital.
As he wished, Alex's remains will be cremated, and family and friends are welcome to join in celebrating his life at a memorial service at his church, First Baptist Church of Newnan, on Sunday, April 14, at 2 p.m. The family will greet friends in the fellowship hall immediately following the service.
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made to the AO House (food and clothing pantry) at First Baptist Church, 15 W. Washington St., Newnan, 30263, or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.mckoon.com
McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory (770) 253-4580