George McAlmon III

1954 - 2025

George Alexander "Alex" McAlmon III, son, father, partner, brother, and friend, died on August 25, 2025, surrounded by cherished family and friends and the compassionate ICU staff at St. David's South Austin Medical Center. He was 70 years old.
Alex lived a life defined by creativity and boundless generosity to everyone, from lifelong friends to new acquaintances. If Alex saw something he thought you would like, you were very likely to find it shortly after in the mail or given to you in person. He will be remembered for his strong opinions on social justice issues, his thoughtful insights on matters of both personal and public concern, the breadth of his talents and interests, and his profound love for the people who knew him best.
Alex was born in El Paso, Texas, on October 1, 1954, to George Alexander McAlmon Jr. and Elizabeth "Hondey" Hill McAlmon. He attended his father's alma mater, Princeton University, for three years before graduating from New York University in 1976 with a degree in filmmaking. Afterward, he returned home to Texas, where he earned a Master of Accounting degree from what is now the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. After graduate school, Alex began his career in state government, working primarily at the Texas Comptroller's Office led by John Sharp. His dedication, integrity, and leadership carried him through three decades of public service, and he concluded his career as Audit Director of the former Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS).
Early retirement marked the beginning of a new chapter for Alex-a time when, as he liked to say, "the fun began." He embraced this period with joy, spending his days honing his photography and painting skills and enjoying live music of many genres in Austin's indoor venues and at the city's music festivals. Alex met his life partner Barbara Ellis in 2010 and together they saw more of the world in 15 years than most people see in a lifetime together. In their travels, they made friends in faraway places, and they became close with several fellow travelers who are now mourning him. Alex introduced Barbara and their friends to several nontraditional artistic groups in Austin, including KOOP Radio, line upon line percussion, and the Rude Mechanicals. They enjoyed countless performances put on by Texas Performing Arts, the most memorable being an eight-hour symphony performed overnight on the stage of Bass Concert Hall.
Alex was preceded in death by his father, George Alexander McAlmon Jr., his sister-in-law, Jaclyn Helene (Soloff) McAlmon, his cousin, John Kelly Pool; and his grandparents, George Alexander McAlmon Sr., Katharine Elizabeth (Taff) McAlmon, John Francis Hill and Grace (Hawkins) Hill.
Alex is survived by his partner, Barbara Ellis; his children, Raven Shakti Garuda and John Alexander McAlmon, and their mother, Meredith Wade McAlmon and partner Brad Bischoff; his mother, Elizabeth "Hondey" Hill McAlmon; his brother, John Francis McAlmon; his sisters, Lisa McAlmon Brown and husband Stephen, and Annie McAlmon Zimmerman and husband Mark; his niece, Payton Grace McAlmon; his aunt, Katharine McAlmon Pool; his cousins Kent and Marcia Hill and their son Alex and daughter-in-law Chelsea; Brian S. Hill, Carol Hill Gonzales; Richard and Lucie Pool, Marilen Pool, Stuart McAlmon Hutson, Lucinda Hutson and many Hawkins cousins. He is also survived by Barbara's children, Lesley Ellis and husband David Wong, and their son Oliver, and Geoffrey Ellis and partner Tess Wieloszynski.
Friends and family will gather to celebrate Alex later this fall at his beloved Mum Foods Deli and Smokehouse in Austin. If you wish to honor Alex with a donation, please consider any of the nonprofit organizations mentioned here or any organization that you believe Alex would have loved.