Don E. Mcnair, Jr.

The memorial services for Don E. McNair, Jr. will be held Monday, July 16, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Mediator, with Reverend Morris Thompson officiating. The committal will follow in the memorial garden at the Episcopal Church of the Mediator.

Mr. McNair, age 81, of Meridian passed away on July 9, 2018 at Anderson’s Hospital.

The Meridian native graduated from Mississippi State University where he played baseball, earning All-SEC team honors in 1959. He had a 30 year career in insurance which began as a Partner with F.W. Williams State Insurance Agency and later USF&G.

Don was an active Civic leader in his community. As President of the Lauderdale County MSU Alumni Club, he organized a fund drive for local alumni and friends to establish a scholarship for the University’s Meridian branch.

While serving on the Pat Harrison Waterway Board of Directors, he chaired the Dunn’s Falls Task force and was instrumental in getting the historic grist mill re-built at its current site.

As a charter member of the North Hills Optimist Club, Don was the Co-founder and President of the Club’s Rookie Baseball League expanding the youth baseball league at Hardin Field in North Meridian.  He would go on to serve the Downtown Optimist Club in various roles for another 50 years.

A lifelong Episcopalian at the Church of the Mediator, he served as both Junior and Senior Warden as well as numerous other church committees.

Last but not least, one of his favorite roles was social chairman of the XYZ Club organizing camping trips for friends and families and always making sure there were laughs heard around the campfire.

His volunteering efforts earned him the 1985 Sertoma Club Man of the Year Award and the Optimist International Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.

He is survived by a daughter, Tavia McNair Cavett (Woods) of Ridgeland and a son, Donald Eric McNair III (Kelly) of Birmingham, and 3 grandchildren: Lakin Alexander Huseth of Ridgeland; Lydia Nell McNair and Sarah Louise McNair of Birmingham.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Eileen McNair Weber; his mother, Mildred Kimbrell McNair; his father, Donald Eric McNair; and beloved stepmother, Beatrice Kimbrell McNair; sisters, Patsy Tiller and Betty Jo Usey.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to the Episcopal Church of the Mediator.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at robertbarhamffh.com.

The visitation will be held Monday, July 16, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Mediator.