Alvin A. McCall, Jr.

Details:

Passed: Sunday, July 31, 2016
Funeral: Monday, August 8, 2016

Birth Date: Friday, May 13, 1927
Age: 89
Location: Greenville
Veteran

Alvin Augustus McCall, Jr. (Grandgeorge) of Greenville, SC entered into eternal rest on July 31, 2016.

Born May 13, 1927 in Pelzer, SC, son of the late Alvin Augustus, Sr. and May Belle McCall. He is now reunited with his beloved wife Wanda and daughter Karen.

He served in the Navy from May 1945 to December 1946. Entered Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science, Nashville, TN in fall of 1947. Later attended Steed College in Johnson City, TN majoring in accounting. He returned to Pelzer in 1951 to start working for Elliott, Davis & Co.

On February 23, 1952, he married Wanda Ervin, the love of his life.

In 1956 he started dabbling in the homebuilding and development business until 1958 when he ventured out full-time. Along with development, he also operated a car dealership in Sumter in 1962.

In 1970 he had the vision to build and expand on a family steakhouse business. He built nine Western Family Steak Houses before selling in 1976. In July 1978, he opened his first Ryan's Steak House building the concept to 270 company stores and 25 franchised. Ryan's went public in 1982 with an initial public offering on July 13.

He retired in 1992 to manage his own private investment business.

Alvin was an active member of St. Matthew's United Methodist Church.

His belief in helping those less fortunate was evident in the many charities he supported. In addition to St. Matthews United Methodist Church, Alvin and Wanda were involved with Meals on Wheels, Epworth Children's Home, Miracle Hill Ministries, Salvation Army, McCall Campus of the Upstate Chapter of the American Red Cross, McCall Hospice House, Christian Learning Center of Greenville, Mayo Clinic Breast Cancer Research, Triune Mercy Center and many other charities that held a special place in his heart.

He was also a recipient of The Order of the Palmetto.

We want to thank his wonderful caregivers, Eliana, Shannon, Lynda, Judy, Janet, and Sandra.

The children would like to offer our heartfelt gratitude to Suzy Glymph for her dedication, love and support for our Dad.

Surviving:

He is survived by 2 sons, Mark (Sylvia), Jeff (Holly) and daughter Paula Marsh(Chris) along with eight grandchildren; Christopher, Catherine, Heather, Karen, Olivia, Noah, Kaitlyn, James and one brother, Andrew.

Funeral Services:

Visitation will be Monday, August 8, 2016 from 1:00 - 2:15 at St Matthew's United Methodist Church, 701 Cleveland St, Greenville, SC. followed by the celebration of his life at 2:30. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Christian Learning Center (clcofgreenville.org), P.O. Box 26824, Greenville, SC 29616, or Triune Mercy Center, 222 Rutherford St, Greenville, SC 29609.

The Mackey Mortuary

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