It’s impossible to be around James McGee and not be happy.
The 86-year-old World War II veteran has a certain gleam in his eye that engages anyone who meets him.
He jokes about drinking Jack Daniel’s to stay fit, followed by a long cackle, before admitting he’s not had so much as one beer since 1946.
Then McGee ribs one of his grandsons that the youngster’s girlfriend has a thing for McGee.
Merriness prevails on the whole scene.
McGee is a well-known figure in Greenwood’s Buckeye community, located behind the Farmers Grain Terminal. He’s lived there half a century, and all the neighborhood children call him “Granddaddy.”
They catch the bus in front of his store, McGee’s Kids Fun House, where he sells candy and cold drinks. He gets there early during the winter and turns the stove on to keep them warm while they wait for the bus.
McGee helps out his community in other small ways, too. His work may not be the type of thing that draws widespread attention, but it helps make where he lives a little bit better.
For instance, McGee will hop on his tractor and cut the grass at the Buckeye’s cemetery, Willing Worker.
One of those buried there is his wife of 55 years, Carrie, who died in 2009. They had 10 children and lots of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
“He’s always been a great father,” said one of his sons, Chris McGee.
All eight of McGee’s living children gathered Tuesday outside his store while Leflore County District 3 Supervisor Anjuan Brown presented McGee with a resolution from the Board of Supervisors.
“I believe in sending people flowers when they can smell them,” Brown said.
Buckeye will also honor McGee with a gathering at 4 p.m. Saturday at its park. There will be music and games for the children, and the whole community is invited.
• Contact Charlie Smith at 581-7235 or csmith@gwcommonwealth.com.
