Jerry McAlpin Obituary

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Lincoln Hill Memorial Park for Jerry Lamar McAlpin, 80, Gadsden, who died March 1, 2008. Pastor Harold Kimble will officiate. Watson and Sons Funeral Home will direct. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 tonight at Quality of Life Health Complex.

On Dec. 27, 1927, Jerry Lamar McAlpin was born in Gadsden. He was the oldest of three children born to the late Jerry McAlpin, a local businessman in Gadsden for more than 50 years, and the late LaMae Prater McAlpin.

Jerry Lamar, who was affectionately known as a "Mar" to some and "Jimmy John" to others, was formally educated at Carver High School and Selma University. It was during his early years at Carver that his path crossed with Professor William D. Williams, who introduced him to his lifelong passion for music. Professor Williams immediately recognized that Jerry was a musical prodigy. Those who remember Jerry during those early years often comment on how no one had a chance at first chair clarinet as long as Jerry was around. He was known not only for assisting his fellow classmates to achieve musical excellence, but his classmates fondly remember his countless adjustments to the professor's musical arrangements.

Jerry served in the U.S. Army for two years, where he traveled the country as a member of the Army band. After serving his country, Jerry moved to Philadelphia, Pa., and joined the Musicians Union, where he honed his craft. By this time, Jerry had mastered both the clarinet and saxophone, but it was the tenor sax that won his heart. He played in several bands during the Big Band era and performed with Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway and Billy Eckstine. Often the youngest musician on the bandstand, Jerry was given the name "Schoolboy" by Ella Fitzgerald. In addition, he was often invited to participate in jam sessions with Quincy Jones and Ray Charles.

Jerry returned to his Alabama roots in 1994, where he became an active and caring member of the Gadsden community. He was a member of the Central-Carver Foundation Advisory Board and the Job Corps Community Relations Board.

After a brief illness, Jerry passed away on Feb. 29, 2008. He is survived by two daughters, Patricia (Danny) McAlpin Kimble and Renee (Rodney) McAlpin Alford, Huntsville; one sister, Ophelia (Charles) McAlpin Irving, Raleigh, N.C.; four grandchildren, Ashleigh Kimble, Tuscaloosa, Danny (Gerri) Kimble Jr., McCalla, Bryan M. Dugger and Jaylah Alford, Huntsville; a niece, Cyretha (Oliver) Irving Knobloch, Geneva, Switzerland; a special cousin, Eugene (Ruby) Prater; and many loving relatives and friends.

Jerry will forever be remembered by all for his passion for music, his lively gift for gab and his love for family and friends.