Captain Kerry B. Magee, USNR Ret
January 29, 1935
November 25,21
The flame of Kerry's earthly life was extinguished by the Hand of God Almighty on Thanksgiving Day 2021 as he was welcomed Home by his Savior, Jesus Christ, shining with Heavenly Light!
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1935, Kerry had a very busy life. He graduated from Joe E. Brown High School in 1952, (where he performed as the Drum Major), then from Georgia Tech where he received a BS Degree in Industrial Management in 1956 and one in Industrial Engineering in 1962 (paid for partially by performances as Tenor Sax / Clarinet Player in a Combo Dance Band), plus an M.S. Degree in Management from Florida State in 1969 (off campus).
He married JoAnn Flowers in 1956 and was blessed with three beautiful daughters, Laura, Karen and Melodie, who gave him six grandsons; three great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter.
In 1999, he married Solange Ann and added three step-sons to his family, Michael, Rob and Sean Irish. He followed in his CPO father's footsteps and spent 26 years in the US Navy Reserve: four years enlisted as QM Seaman (while at Georgia Tech) and remaining time as a Commissioned Officer (22 years). After four months of Naval OCS (rigorous professional and military training) and being commissioned as Ensign USNR in 1957, he served on Active Duty for three years on a Destroyer, the USS Robert Huntington, DD 781, from Norfolk, Virginia, with a six-month deployment in the Mediterranean Sea each year.
Later, after attending Prospective Commanding Officer (PCO) School in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1976, he served as a Reserve PCO in Galveston, again on a Destroyer, the USS Robert A. Owens, DD 827. He believes that this assignment and his being designated SWO (Surface Warfare Officer) got him his Fourth Stripe as USNR Captain!
As a Patriot, he was affiliated with the VFW and the American Legion, both as Commander; the Military Officers Association of America, and the Naval Order of the United States, Houston Chapters, where he held positions as VP, President and Chaplain.
In his Civil Life, from 1962 to 1964, he worked as an Industrial Engineer with the Panama Canal Company, then started a career in 1965 with Dow Chemical in Florida as an employee contractor assigned to NASA's Engineering Department at LC-39 on Merritt Island. It was followed by a move in 1970 to the DOW Freeport Plant, There he worked as the Electrical Commodities Purchasing Agent where he received the Certified Purchasing Manager Designation from NAPM. He retired after 29 years in 1994.
During those years, he became an Adjunct Professor in Economics at both Brazosport and Galveston Colleges at different times for 27 years. He also taught Purchasing Management to BBA Seniors at UHCL for three years.
He has been a Precinct Chairman and Election Judge in Brazoria County for 29 years.
His Christian life started at age 14, followed by regular attendance to many churches, mostly Presbyterian, where he served as Deacon and Choir Director in Titusville, Florida. In 1970, he became a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Jackson. There he held the same positions plus that of Lay Leader at the newly-named C.E.P.C.
Ministries he participated in are as follows: The Emmaus Cradle of Texas; attending Walk # 79 in Houston as a Pilgrim,
As well as serving on teams on other Walks; Clemens Unit Kairos Prison Ministry for ten years, with a final assignment as Unit Advisory Council Treasurer; and Gideons International for seven years.
While in the Panama Canal Zone, he became a Freemason, joined the Scottish Rite Bodies there and later the Valley of Galveston where, in 2007, he received the KCCH Award, an endowed membership and the Emeritus Degree, Master 14th Degree.
Returning to the U.S., he then joined the Lake Jackson Lodge #1317, A.F. & A.M. in 1995 where he became Master of the Lodge in 2000 and an endowed Member. He was a 32nd Degree Mason who received the 50-year Award in 2012 and the Golden Trowel in 2013, (the highest honor a Lodge can bestow upon a member), the York Rite Bodies, the KYCH in 2002, the Royal Order of Scotland in 2002, and the Red Cross of Constantine in 2008.
He was also a Shriner, member of The Galveston El Mina Shrine Temple since 1975 where he became a Member of the Legion of Honor for Veterans and, in 1998, the Order of Eastern Star in Lake Jackson as Worthy Patron in 2004.
With Jim Gentil, he created a Toastmasters Club in Lake Jackson in 1984 where he received the DTM (Distinguished ToastMaster) Award in 1990. They have held meetings until the Pandemic slowed them down.
In his adventurous life, he was a Life Scout in BSA, then became most active in the Music Theater (1970s) and the Little Theater (1980s) of Brazosport, performing in both as Singer, Actor, Stage Manager, Orchestra Conductor, Board of Directors and, finally, as President of each theater at different times.
He became a Tour Guide and Gift Shop Attendant at Sea Center, Texas, for seventeen years. He was also a Tour Guide at INEOS Company's Wild Life Reserve at Chocolate Bayou for four years, and Tour Guide on the USS Lexington in Corpus Christi for four years.
All along, Kerry was a devoted, loving father, husband, passionate patriot, serving as community leader in many capacities with integrity and strength of character.
The family wants to express appreciation to the Staff of Revered Texan and the IPH Hospice Team for their care and compassion in the last three months of his life.
Kerry was preceded in death by his parents, Bernarr and Dorothy Magee.
He is survived by his sister, Bonnie Harwell, from Florida; his first wife for 42 years, JoAnn Flowers; and his second wife, Solange Ann, for 22 years; as well as his three lovely daughters, Laura E. Irish, from Brookings, Oregon, Karen L. Duke, from La Vergne, Tennessee, and Melodie A. Steinert, from Angleton, Texas. Survivors also include six grandsons, Robert W. Martinez, Jr., Joshua M. Eldred, Zackerry L. and Christian T. Wiggs, Robert C. and Jonathan D. Duke; plus four surviving grandchildren, April E. and Troy L. Martinez, Beckett G. and Braylen R. Eldred. Kerry is also survived by three step-sons, Michael, Rob and Sean Irish; plus three sons-in-law, Michael Irish, Stan Duke and Ed Steinert.
In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation for the benefit of Service Members to the American Legion Post 306, P.O. Box 6994, Lake Jackson, Texas 77566.
Visitation will be at Lakewood Funeral Home Chapel on December 12, 2021 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
The Funeral Ceremony will be on Monday, December 13 at 10:00 a.m. at the Covenant Evangelical Presbyterian Church (C.E.P.C.) in Lake Jackson, presided by Dr. Rev. Alan Trafford, followed by an escort to The National Cemetery in Houston for a full military service, though the 21-gun salute may not be available.