George Gilbert McBee passed away peacefully on June 29, 2023 at the age of 93. He was born on August 15, 1929 in Eastland, Texas to Floyd and Stella McBee. A graveside service will be held at Aggie Field of Honor in College Station, Tx in the Chapel on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.

George graduated from Carbon High School as Valedictorian in 1946 and from Ranger Junior College, Summa Cum Laude in 1948. He then attended Texas A&M College, graduating in 1951 with a B.S. degree in Agronomy and a 2nd Lt. Commission. He went on to serve in the Korean War as a Company Commander being awarded the United Nations and Korean War medals with 3 combat stars. He retired from the Army Reserves as LTC with the Meritorious Service medal.

After his service in the Korean War, George went on to work as Assistant County Agent for the Texas Agricultural Extension Service in San Antonio, Texas. It was there he met the love of his life, Ida Jane Maspero and they were married on June 25, 1954.

George returned to graduate school at Texas A&M University where he earned his Masters degree in Soil Chemistry. It was there they welcomed their first daughter Cynthia Kay in 1956. He went on to serve as an agronomy specialist in the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station in Weslaco, Texas. Their second daughter Nancy Gail was welcomed there in 1958.

George then returned to Aggieland where he completed his Ph.D in Plant Physiology in 1965 and was assigned to teaching and research. He was later transferred to Lubbock, Texas as Resident Director of the Texas A&M Research and Extension Center. In 1975 he returned to College Station to resume teaching and research. He also served as chairman of multiple graduate student committees for the Masters and Ph.D programs.

His 36 year career with Texas A&M included travel to multiple countries where he consulted with agricultural officials regarding techniques for increasing crop production. He authored many technical publications based on his extensive research in agriculture and was cited by the USGA for his research on turfgrasses. He retired as Professor Emeritus.

George’s strong faith in God guided every aspect of his life and he lived a life devoted to his family, the church, and service to others.

George served as a deacon at the First Baptist Church in both Lubbock and Bryan. He served on many committees and loved teaching adult Sunday School classes. He also served on the Board of Still Creek Ranch and loved mentoring and fellowship with the children. He was a member of the College Station Kiwanis Club where he served as President and received a Distinguished President award and Layperson of the Year. Also he completed a tax course and volunteered at both Bryan and College Station libraries for 12 years preparing tax returns as a free community service.

George’s family was his greatest joy in life. He and Janie shared 69 years of love and devotion to each other. After retiring, they loved traveling together, attending Aggie football and basketball games, and spending time with family. He loved being Granddad to his four grandchildren. Wonderful memories were made taking trips and spending weekends at their land in the country.

George is preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Stella McBee, brothers Eugene, Charles, and Henry McBee, son-in-law Bryan Cummings, and grandson Matthew Dale. He is survived by his beloved wife Janie; daughters Cindy Cummings, Nancy Wells and husband Kerry; grandchildren Jennifer Bubel and husband Neil (children Hayden and Avery), David Cummings and wife Courtney (child Mason), Michael Dale and wife Caitlin (children Bailey, Hudson, and Finley).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests your consideration of a donation to First Baptist Church Bryan Building Fund, Still Creek Ranch, or the charity of your choice.

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