Out-of-state

AUSTIN, Texas — Kerry LaVan McAlister, devoted husband and loving father, of Austin, Texas, passed away on October 8, 2018, at age 88.

Kerry was born on November 13, 1929, in Russellville, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Crowder McAlister, parents, Kerry McAlister and Ruby Moon McAlister, and brother, Stephen McAlister. He is survived by son, Randall McAlister and wife Lynne of Round Rock, Texas, and their children, Holly Swift, Kerry McAlister and wife Julie, Ryan McAlister, Sean Adams and wife Carla, Sage and Ian Adams; daughter Jane Ann McAlister Pence and husband Terry of New Braunfels, Texas, and their children, Kate Pence Malo and husband Sam, and Jeffrey Pence; one great-grandson Zehn Cadena; and many nieces and nephews.

Kerry graduated from Russellville High School in 1947 and after attending Arkansas Tech, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska. In 1951, he married his wife of 63 years, Doris Crowder of Adona, Arkansas. After almost 6 years in the Air Force, he took an early Honorable Discharge and returned to the US. In 1954, he began working for Williams-Stackhouse Mapping Company in San Antonio, Texas. In 1962 he was hired by the Texas Highway Department in Austin. He worked in the Aerial Mapping Section. He retired in June of 1985 and continued creating aerial maps at his own company, McAlister Aerial Surveys. Kerry and Doris raised two children and spent much of their time playing golf around the US. He was a member of the United Methodist Church. He especially loved the Texas Longhorns and watching football.

Kerry was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He will leave a void in our lives, but the special memories of him will never go away. Memorial donations may be made to UMCOR-United Methodist Committee on Relief or Memorial United Methodist Church of Austin, Texas.