By Staff
McGill writes weekly columns, still works part-time
By Adrienne McKenzie
There were a few minor corrections in last week’s senior living. The Advance apologizes for any inconvenience.
(This week The Atmore Advance spotlights 73-year-old Lowell McGill, who is a historical columnist for The Atmore Advance. McGill also works part-time as a flood adjuster.)
Q: When and where were you born?
A: In Perdido in 1934.
Q: Who were your parents?
A: Reese and Ruth McGill.
Q: What did your parents do for a living?
A: He retired from Brookley Field after 25 years of service. My mother was a housewife.
Q: Do you have any brothers or sisters?
A: Three sisters; Diane, Pat and Glennys. They are all still living.
Q: Where did you attend school?
A: Baldwin County High, I graduated in ‘52. I spent two years at Alabama, two years at Southern Miss and I had some post-graduate work at Florida State.
Q: Do you do a lot of traveling?
A: As a flood adjuster since 1979, I have been all over the United States of America working flood claims. I’ve met many famous and interesting people.
Q: Where did you work?
A: I have been an independent adjuster for the National Flood Insurance Program since 1979.
Before that, I went to college three months at Troy after high school and couldn’t find a job. I came back and worked part-time in radio. I drove back and forth two years between Atmore and Tuscaloosa and two years between Atmore and Southern Miss. I started working for The Atmore Advance with sports in ‘56. I worked a combo at the paper and at WATM in radio work.
I went into the Army and came out first lieutenant. I began teaching school.
Then i founded the “Tri-City” newspaper in Flomaton in 1971. I didn’t have the funding to keep it going so I sold it and went back to teaching school.
Q: What do you like most about Atmore?
A: I’ve been here all my life. Perdido is an Atmore town. I have always been exposed to Atmore and the people. I like it because it’s where my family was from.
The way I got into Atmore was in the mid-50s when I worked at the station and the paper. There are a lot of influential people in my life that have helped me to write today.
Q: Did you ever marry?
A: Yes on Aug. 31, 1957 to Ouida Troutman.
Q: Do you have children?
A: Yes. Three boys; Mark, Steve and Bryan. All three live in Atmore.
I have five grandchildren and one great grandchild on the way.
Q: Where do you attend church?
A: I presently attend Brooks Memorial.
Q: What keeps you busy these days?
A: Still working flood claims part-time and writing columns for The Atmore Advance and doing research on the Internet.
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
A: I like FOX Network and I like the new program called RFD or anything that has to do with music or stories of the ‘40s and ‘50s.
Q: What advice would you like to give people on staying healthy?
A: I’ve had four bypasses and prostate cancer. I’ve learned to stay on a diet, to exercise and to take medicine.
(If you would like to recommend a senior to be spotlighted please contact Adrienne McKenzie at 368-2123 or e-mail her at lifestyles@atmoreadvance.com)