Obituary of Albert Farrell McAlister
Albert Farrell McAlister was born in Greendale, Mississippi to Margaret Dale and Albert Farrell McAlister on August 8, 1948. He passed from congestive heart failure on February 8, 2021 at Patient’s Hospital in Pasadena, TX.
He was preceded in death by his parents Margaret Dale and Albert Farrell McAlister and his sister Brenda McAlister. He is survived by his wife Pam Carter, and children Carrie Carter and husband James Dekan, Stacy Vickers and husband Burt Vickers, and grandchildren Heike, Heidi, and Erick. Additionally, he is survived by his daughter Denise McAlister Pierce, son Paul McAlister, and grand-daughter Heather McAlister.
Shortly after Farrell’s birth, the McAlister family moved to Galveston, TX. where they lived six years before moving to Pasadena, TX. At the age of 14, he worked a summer job with his father dropping dynamite into the gulf. It was hard, hot work, and as the water shimmied from the explosion, so did the thought that he never wanted to do manual labor.
Fast forward to his senior year, where he was a mouthy, trouble maker. With the threat of expulsion from South Houston High School, he made the decision to go into the military. He volunteered to go to South Korea and was granted the assignment. There he worked as a Spec 5 Radar Technician and drank more “sochu” than should be legal.
Following his military service, he got married for a brief time, and had two children, Denise and Paul. He worked for Western Electric for seven years, but as a young man full of confidence, he quit his poorly paid, physically demanding job one Christmas Eve. The very next day Southwestern Bell rang. They offered him a job, one that he would stay at for 30 years.
He retired from SBC so he and his second wife Loretta could raise his granddaughter Heather in Dallas, TX. He was lured out of retirement to pursue a second career as a Train The Trainer, a role that would take him all over the United States.
He reconnected with his high school sweetheart Pam Carter. In high school they enjoyed an innocent love, but the relationship ended when he went into the Army. Fate would draw them back together though. Soul-mates can’t be kept apart, and they reunited as a couple, deeply in love. He spent the last 17 years of his life being a devoted husband, beloved by Pam and their blended family.
Farrell wasn’t defined by his careers; he was defined by his character. He was compassionate and caring. He exuded love for his fellow person and kindness to all. He once rescued a tiny kitten that had fallen into a can of paint and raised her as his pet. He loved helping his grandchildren, gardening and spending time with Pam. Farrell will be greatly missed on this earth, and we all mourn his passing.
A private service will be held at Earthman Generations on February 13, 2021. It will be live streamed for all who are interested.