Cecil Magee

Cecil David Magee, formerly of Cedar Falls, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2010, at the Del Webb Hospital, Sun City West, Ariz. As in life, he was surrounded by his family's love to the end. Cecil was born in Dunkerton on June 1, 1925, to Earl (Pete) and Myrtle Magee. His father was a skillful well-known builder in the area and Cecil worked by his side learning firsthand what hard work, dedication of craft, and family values could achieve and create. That same dedication extended to his country as he, in 1943, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in Hawaii during World War II. In 1950 he came back and married the love of his life, Annabelle Smith. To Cecil, home was the epicenter of family and Cecil had a long and very successful career as an architect, contractor and Realtor in Cedar Falls, building and creating homes for other Cedar Falls families. In 1968 he developed health problems and with Annabelle at his side, spent the next 42 years battling his heart and other serious medical problems. He and Annabelle lived in Cedar Falls until 1978, and then moved to Sun City West. At the heart of Cecil's life was the love for his family and his desire to see them succeed their goals as he succeeded in his. His father's example of love and generosity he now is leaving to his children and grandchildren. His relationship with his father was one that Cecil carried throughout his life, passing his father's legacy of generosity and quiet compassion on to everyone he met through Cecil's famous gift for story telling and his love and pride in his parents, his brothers, his wife, children and grandchildren. That tradition continues in the extreme pride Cecil's family has for him and for all he has given and taught. Cecil loved to write short stories about his recollections of growing up in Dunkerton and authored two volumes that have delighted readers both in and outside the family. In one such story he described his father by saying, "The measure of a man is not just how he looks out for himself, but also how he looks out for others." However a more fitting quote could not be spoken about Cecil himself. He is truly the best example of why people who lived through what he did are called "America's Greatest Generation." Despite many doctors' predictions, Cecil with the loving and constant care of his devoted wife Annabelle succeeded in living a very long and productive life. In their 60 years of marriage, Cecil and Annabelle built a beautiful family and passed the legacy along through children Mark and Cristin Magee of Stuart Fla., Celia and William Simmer of Cedar Falls, Dwight and Shawna Magee of Bradenton, Fla., Amy and Chip Bradshaw of North Plains, Ore., and Howard and Michele Magee of Phoenix; 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his son Richard, who died at birth; his parents, Earl and Myrtle Magee; and brothers Howard Everett and Lloyd Earl Magee. Just as his father has always been a driving force in his life, Cecil was, and will always be the same to those he's left behind. A service is planned to celebrate Cecil's birthday on June 1 at 11 a.m. First Baptist Church in Dunkerton, following by a graveside service and military ceremony at the Dunkerton Cemetery and refreshments hosted by the Ladies Aide. Richardson Funeral Home is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to the American Heart Association or the National Kidney Foundation.