George McKellar

1937 - 2017

George Wesley McKellar

August 4, 1937 - December 9, 2017

Raleigh

George Wesley McKellar, 80, of Raleigh passed away on Saturday December 9 2017 at his home.

George was born and raised in Columbus, MS, the son of Gray McKellar and Lottie Palmer McKellar. He attended the University of Mississippi where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, Air Force ROTC, and an athletic manager for the University. George graduated in 1959 with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering.

After graduation, George joined the Air Force full time. He served as Radar Officer in Aiken, SC and Goose Bay, Labrador defending the east coast during the Cold War. In 1964 he went to flight training at Craig AFB, C-130 training outside of Nashville, and reported to McGuire AFB to fly for Military Airlift Command. From McGuire George flew worldwide, including Vietnam, and flew the last MAC C-130 from McGuire to a Tactical Airlift Command base in 1968.

After 8.5 years, George left the Air Force and was hired by American Airlines. He started as a Flight Engineer on the Boeing 727 based in New York and also joined the Air Force Reserves at McGuire AFB to fly the C-141 Starlifter. He met his future wife, Mary Elizabeth Worsham, a flight attendant for American on the jet bridge in LAX. They married in 1976 and moved to Robbinsville, NJ to start a family.

George flew the C-141 until he was promoted to Colonel in 1986 and was assigned to FEMA in Philadelphia as Regional Management Emergency Coordinator. He continued flying for American Airlines in the 727, 707, and DC-10 eventually being promoted to Captain on the 727. He and his family moved to NC joining the fledgling American Airlines Raleigh-Durham base flying to Latin America and the Caribbean. He continued his Air Force service as Liaison to the Adjutant General for the State of North Carolina until he retired from the Reserves in 1992. George also served as RDU Domicile Chair for the Allied Pilots Association.

When the American hub in Raleigh closed, George transferred to Chicago to fly the 767 to South America and Europe. His wife Mary joined him on his last flight from Milan to Chicago in 1997 when he retired.

In retirement George stayed active in community. He served as a board member and National President of the Grey Eagles, a fraternal organization of retired American Airlines Pilots, an Elder in Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church, and served as a Financial Regulatory Authority Arbitrator.

George was active in the Boy Scouts of America, starting as a scout leader and eventually combining his passion for shooting sports to become a certified Range Safety Officer and Director of Shooting Sports at Camp Durant on the Occoneechee Scout Reservation. He spent every summer on the range of Camp Durant coaching scouts and explorers in firearms safety and shotgun fundamentals and was active in raising money and materials to further the program. In recognition of his contributions he was awarded the Silver Beaver Award in 2014 by the Occoneechee Council, the highest scouting award provided at the council level.

George's other passion was spreading the good cheer of Christmas. Each summer, while at Boy Scout Camp, he would grow his snow-white beard and hair in order to transform into Santa Claus during the Christmas season. Over the years George worked at local malls, parades, private appearances and photo studios. His greatest joy was when children would catch a glimpse of him around town in the weeks before Christmas and stop their parents to declare they had seen Santa.

George will be remembered an expert pilot, loving father and husband, brother, uncle, grandfather, educator, and community leader. He understood the ties that bind us are sacred and need to be protected and nurtured. He also knew the importance of service to his country, community, profession, and family and never wavered when called.

He is survived by his wife Mary of 41 years, his children George Wesley McKellar II and Tyler Gray McKellar of Atlanta and his Grandchildren Jack, Emerson and Layla. He is also survived by his sisters Bessie McKellar Moffatt and Sarah McKellar Dethloff, and many nieces and nephews.

Services for George were held at Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, NC on December 14, 2017.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to continue George's legacy of fostering shooting education for scouts and explorers in North Carolina. Donations can be made to the "Occoneechee Council George McKellar Shooting Sports Education Fund", 3231 Atlantic Avenue, Raleigh NC 27604.