Earl Leslie McGee, 87, formerly of Panama, died on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, in Purcell,OK.
Visitation will be noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 9, at Perfetti-Assalley Funeral Home in Sorento. Funeral services will immediately follow with Pastor Mike Craig officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Sunnyside Cemetery in Sorento.
Mr. McGee was born on Dec. 20, 1935, in Granite City, to Clarence and Alice (Kinder) McGee. He grew up in Panama and attended school in Hillsboro, graduating in 1954. Mr. McGee proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1955 to 1957. He was honorably discharged from military service and married the love of his life, Nancy Ann Bentley, on June 1, 1957, at the Sorento Baptist Church. She preceded him in death. They enjoyed over 59 years together and had three sons that they raised in Sauk Village.
Beginning in 1957, Mr. McGee worked for Republic Steel in Chicago, where he was employed for more than 28 years.After retirement, the couple moved to Carrollton, TX and he began working for Macy’s Department store on the loading docks as a “return to vendor” specialist. He worked there for ten to 12 years until retiring for the second time in his life. Mr. McGee and his wife moved to Purcell, OK in 2013 where he lived until his death.
Mr. McGee’s favorite hobbies were collecting toy trains, playing chess and studying military history. He was a Christian and attended church in Illinois, Texas and Oklahoma. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend to many.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Robin McGee, Rick McGee and Randy McGee; siblings, Maurice McGee, Leonard McGee, Floyd McGee and Schreldia Brown. Mr. McGee is survived by two daughters-in-law, Pamela McGee of Miamisburg, OH, and Nancy McGee Craig of Tecumseh, OK; sisters, Francis Henke and Maureen Burris; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and many other family members and friends.
Condolences and memories may be left online at www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com.
