Earl Sefton ‘Mac’ McGilvray
(LAGRANGE, Ga.) Earl Sefton “Mac” McGilvray Jr., who was born Nov. 1, 1937, in Roanoke, son of the late Earl S. and Mary Kate Webb McGilvray, died at 9:35 a.m. Monday, July 17, 2006, at West Georgia Medical Center, LaGrange.
He graduated from Columbus High and Marion Military Institute before finishing at Auburn University. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve until honorably discharged in 1964. He was appointed lieutenant colonel of the Alabama State Militia and Lt. Col. Aide de Camp to Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Columbus.
In his youth, he was a member of the Order of DeMolay and Boy Scouts of America, the latter organization he continued to serve as an adult and from whom he was awarded several honors, including the District Award of Merit, Order of the Arrow-Vigil Member and their highest honor, the Silver Beaver.
He moved to LaGrange in 1979 as manager of the brand new Kirven’s Department Store when West Georgia Commons Mall opened. He was formerly a member of the Rotary Club of LaGrange and later became co-owner and manger of the Georgian Manor. He built and operated the Pine Mountain Trading Company in Pine Mountain and later operated a successful antiques dealership.
He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, serving at the time of his death as treasurer of the LaGrange chapter, of which he was a founding member. He had been secretary-treasurer of the local chapter and served previously as president of the Chattahoochee River and McIntosh chapters, as well as Georgia State Society secretary. He was a founding member and former tanist of the Order of the Tartan, a Scottish heritage society, as well as a member of Clan MacGillivray. He was honored as a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in Edinburgh. He was a member of the West Georgia Genealogical Society.
He was a scion of several ancient Troup County families, including the Webbs, who helped found West Point, and the Tatoms. He was an Indian enthusiast and collector, who often gave demonstrations and lectures to school groups on Indian culture. He was also a founding member and former officer of First Families of Georgia, Continental Society of Sons and Indian Wars, Noble Order Descendants of Saints and Martyrs, Sons of Confederate Veterans and National Society of Sons of American Colonists.
He is survived by his wife, Margo Buck McGilvray, who he married Dec. 28, 1958; two sons, Earl S. “Trip” McGilvray III and Charles S. “Chuck” McGilvray; two godsons; three aunts; and two nieces.
A memorial service was at 3 p.m. EDT Thursday, July 20, in the Hunter-Allen-Myhand Chapel with the Rev. William McLemore, chaplain of the Order of the Tartan, presiding.
Those desiring may make a memorial contribution to West Georgia Dialysis, 140 Glenn Bass Rd., LaGrange, GA 30240.
Condolences may be expressed or memories shared in the guest book at www.hunterallenmyhand.com.
Hunter-Allen-Myhand Funeral Home, LaGrange.
