Birch G. McVay, 88, Retired, U.S. Air Force/Pharmacist/Pecan Farmer
Birch G. McVay, a native and former resident of Cochran, Georgia, departed this life on April 3, 2012. He is survived by his wife, Kathryne Oxford McVay of Gainesville; son and daughter-in-law, Frank David McVay and Roberta Madden McVay of Canton; daughter, Kipling Louise McVay-Stubbs of Waleska; step-grandson Robert S. "Beau" Stubbs III; step-granddaughter Anne Stubbs Smith; step-daughter and step-son-in-law Kathy Oxford and Tom Kubala of Gainesville; step-granddaughter Emily (Brandon) Kubala; step-grandson Charlie (Erin) Kubala. He was also survived by his a cousin who was a brother to him, Dr. Reid Gullatt of Lakeland, Florida. Col. McVay was predeceased by his first wife, Hildie Luthi McVay and a daughter, Mary Elizabeth McVay.
McVay graduated from Middle Georgia College in Cochran. He enlisted in Army Aviation and received B-17 Bomber training at Sebring, Florida. He and his prospective crew were in training at Ellsworth Air Force Base when he met and married his first wife. He was assigned to the 334th Bomb Squadron, 95th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force as a Squadron Leader and stationed in Horham, England. He carried out twenty four combat missions on Germany, including a "drop supplies" mission over Warsaw, Poland, before being shot down on his twenty-fifth mission. He was a prisoner of war at Stalag Luft 3 until liberated by General Patton's troops on May 29, 1945.
Some military decorations received include the Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Ex-POW Medal, European African and Middle East Medal with 3 Battle Stars, World War II Victory Medal, Polish Underground Army Cross, and the Warsaw Uprising Cross.
McVay continued his education at the University of Georgia, graduating with a bachelor's degree in pharmacy, followed by service as Special Agent in the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He brought the family back to Georgia to buy out the pharmacy business of his Uncle Frank McVay, who was retiring. He additionally undertook and was successful in apple and pecan farming.
McVay continued in the Air Force Reserves where he attained the rank of Colonel, serving primarily at Dobbins Air Force Base. His last assignment was in personnel at Warner Robins Air Force Base.
He is a former president of the Georgia Military Officers Association, the Middle Georgia Chapter of American Ex-Prisoners of War, and the Stalag Luft 3 Association. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Warner Robins Retired Officers Association and the Eighth Air Force Historical Society. When the Air Force Academy was established, he served as an admissions liaison officer. He was active in the Cochran Rotary Club and a 32nd degree Mason. He served as president of the State Pharmaceutical Society, was active in the local and State Republican Party, and was Presidential candidate Barry Goldwater's campaign director in Bleckley County. He was a member of the Georgia Pecan Growers Association and the Georgia Farm Bureau. He served as treasurer for the Middle Georgia College Alumni Association and trustee for its Foundation. Mr. McVay was a longtime member of the Cochran First United Methodist Church, where served in various capacities, including the Administrative Board (formerly Board of Stewards). He and his wife Hildie purchased and gave the house adjoining the Cochran Methodist Church to the Church for use as a youth center. It was named "The Ruby McVay House" after his mother. After retiring to Lanier Village Estates in Gainesville in 2004, he became involved in the Mountaineer Chapter of American Ex-Prisoners of War and served on the Georgia National Cemetery Advisory Council, to which membership he was named by the Department of Georgia American Ex-Prisoners of War. He was a member of the Gainesville First United Methodist Church at the time of his death.
Funeral services will be conducted in the sanctuary of the Gainesville United Methodist Church on Thursday, April 5, 2012 at 11:00 A. M., the Rev. Terry Walton of Gainesville First Methodist and the Rev. Richard Evans, Chaplain of Lanier Village Estates, officiating. The body will lie in state at the Church from 10:00 until the funeral hour. Interment with his first spouse will take place at the Georgia National Cemetery, Cherokee County, Georgia with full military honors at 11:30 A.M. on April 9, 2012, the Rev. C. R. Hill, Jr. officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gainesville First United Methodist Church, 2780 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA. 30506, the Lanier Village Chapel Building Fund, 4000 Village View Dr., Gainesville, GA 30506, or the Cochran First United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 87, Cochran, GA 31014.
Those wishing to send online condolences may do so at littledavenport.com
Little & Davenport Funeral Home, 355 Dawsonville Highway, S.W., Gainesville, Ga. 30501 is in charge of arrangements.
