LTC Jeptha Isaiah "J.I." McNair, Jr.

Evans, GA – Colonel Jeptha Isaiah “J.I” McNair, Jr., 89, entered into rest Friday, October 13, 2023.

Colonel McNair is the son of the late Jeptha Isaiah McNair, Sr. and the late Willie Bell Huff McNair. He is survived by his wife, JoAnn McNair and their son, Jeptha Isaiah “Jep” McNair III and his wife Sarah McNair, a daughter Selina McNair Penno (Mike) by his first wife, the late Margret McNair, and two granddaughters, Andrea Penno and Nina Penno.

Colonel McNair was born and raised in Glascock County, Georgia. He graduated from Gibson High School, The University of Omaha, Omaha Nebraska and received a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Georgia. Colonel McNair attended numerous military schools to include, The Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Colonel McNair served more than 24 years in the United States Army. Overseas assignments included one year in Iran, one year in Germany, and two years in Vietnam.

Decorations, Awards, Service Medals, and Badges that Colonel McNair was authorized to wear included the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three battle stars, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Oak Leaf Cluster, Presidential Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation with Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam Unit Award with Oak Leaf Cluster, Master Army Aviator Wings, and Four Overseas Bars.

After coming to Augusta, Colonel McNair was a Real Estate Agent with Sherman and Hemstreet, Inc. for 25 years. During this time, he served for four years as the Chaplain of the Augusta Board of Realtors.

Colonel McNair was a member of the First Baptist Church of Augusta since coming to Augusta in 1978. He co-taught an Adult Sunday School class since 1978. He served on numerous committees during this time to include serving as the Moderator and Chairman of Deacons. Prior to coming to Augusta, Colonel McNair served as Chairman of Deacons at Westwood Baptist Church in Springfield Virginia. He served as trustee for four years at Brewton Parker College in Mt. Vernon, Georgia.

Many thanks to Jacki Lee Rogers of Georgia Hospice Care and his two caregivers, Jean Catlett of Home Instead and Marilyn Libert.

The memorial service will be held Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. in the Storey Chapel of First Baptist Church of Augusta with Dr. Will Dyer officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service of the chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Augusta, 3500 Walton Way Ext, Augusta, GA 30909, or to Mount Beulah Baptist Church, 5535 Mount Buelah Rd., Warrenton, GA 30828.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com