Harrison McGee

McGee, Mr. Harrison E. - Age 79, passed away Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at McLaren-Flint. Family hour 10 a.m. Monday, July 23, 2012 at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, 424 Kennelworth St., with funeral service commencing at 11 a.m. Rev. Dr. Major A. Stewart, officiating. Interment Lovedale Memorial Cemetery, G-5175 E. Bristol Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10 a.m. Monday. Mr. McGee will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. Mr. Harrison E. McGee was born in the Flint, Michigan on February 27, 1933 to Aaron and Agnes Payne McGee. He grew up in Flint with his brother, Aaron Jr. and his two sisters, Beulah and Delores. Harrison began his musical training at the age of 4 with his mother who gave him his first music lessons. She sat him on telephone books so he could reach the keys. He began serious musical study at age 6, with the late Otis Stafford. Harrison’s father, Rev. Aaron McGee, greatly encouraged him to use his talents in the church. He had his first steady job play for the Sunday School at Mt. Olive Baptist Church when he was 13 years old. Harrison began his studies of violin and cello as a student at Whittier Jr. High School. At Flint Central High School, he played the cello, which eventually led him to playing with the Flint Junior Symphony Orchestra. While studying at Mott Community College, Harrison served as an accompanist for the AC Choral Club of the AC Spark Plug Division of General Motors. Harrison received his Associates Degree from Mott Community College in 1953; his Bachelor of Music Degree from Western Michigan University in 1956, and his Master’s Degree from Eastern Michigan University in 1976. He served as Music Teacher with the Flint Community Schools for 36 years. Harrison taught instrumental and vocal music Emerson Jr. High School, Southwestern High School and Whittier Middle School. He retired from the Flint Community Schools in 1992. Harrison McGee had an extensive list of activities and affiliations which included: Member of the Willis Patterson “Our Own Thing” Chorale Ann Arbor, Michigan, Director of the Flint Community Ensemble, Music professor at Jordan College, Co-founder and musician for the Urban League’s Boys’ Choir with the late Laura Jean Thompson Harrison was a life member of the National Association of Negro Musicians Inc.; member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, an honorary music fraternity; member of the National Black Music Caucus; Executive Board Member of the “Friends of Music” of the University of Michigan-Flint. He received numerous awards and honors, including: the “Community Service Award” from Zeta Beta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. in 1995; the Dr. A Raymond Roth Award by Friends of Music, University of Michigan-Flint, in 1999; and the Lifetime Music Award by the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club Inc. in 2002. Harrison had been married to Evia Lee for 46 years and they have two children, Marcia Faye and son, Keith Elliott. Harrison McGee served faithfully and consistently as Choir Director and Musician at Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church for 57 years. Mr. Harrison E. McGee leaves to cherish his memory: wife, Evia Lee (Lynch) McGee; daughter, Marcia Faye McGee, both of Flint; son, Keith E. McGee of Manchester, England; nephew, Stanford Simmons; sister-in-law, Deloris Lynch; 4 brothers-in-law, Raymond Lynch, Tommy Lynch, Daniel Lynch and Larry Lynch; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. McGee was preceded in death by his parents, Aaron and Agnes (Payne) McGee; brother, Aaron Henry Payne McGee; sisters, Deloris Simmons and Beulah Copland. The family would like to express special thanks to the entire Payne, McGee and Lynch families for their love and support as well as the Mt. Olive Baptist Church Family. In lieu of flowers please make donations to: Alpha Esquire Mentoring and Leadership Program, checks payable to: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Attention: “Esquire Scholarship,” Mt. Olive Baptist Church Scholarship Fund checks payable to: Mt. Olive Baptist Church Attention: “Scholarship Fund.”

Harrison McGee

February 27, 1933 - July 17, 2012