People in Northeast Georgia and the local law enforcement community are mourning the loss today of Hall County Sheriff’s Lt. Brian McNair. McNair, 53, of Clarkesville, died early Monday morning, July 20, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center following a serious illness.
“He will forever be remembered for his dedicated service to our country and the counties he served in Georgia.” – Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch
McNair was transported from his home in Habersham County to the Gainesville hospital on Sunday evening.
McNair served in the Jail Division of the Sheriff’s Office. “Lt. McNair had tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous week but had not been at work since July 9,” says Hall County Sheriff’s Public Information Officer Derreck Booth. An official cause of death has not been released.
A veteran and father of nine
Lt. McNair started his service at the Sheriff’s Office on January 30, 2000, and worked for the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office prior to that. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and Georgia National Guard, where he was deployed on active duty several times.
McNair is survived by his wife Wendy and their nine children, ranging from toddler to college-aged.
“The news of Lt. McNair’s passing came as a great shock to his family and his law enforcement family this morning,” Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch says. “He will forever be remembered for his dedicated service to our country and the counties he served in Georgia. Words cannot express my desire for this community to pray for Lt. McNair’s family.”
“Brian was a great father and husband,” says friend and fellow Scoutmaster Jeremy Dundore.
McNair was an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 5 Boy Scouts in Clarkesville. Dundore says he was a positive influence and mentor for all the boys in the Troop. “He was always willing to help wherever he was needed and eager to donate his time and expertise.”
Dundore has set up a GoFundMe account to help with Lt. McNair’s funeral expenses. Donations may also be made to the McNair Family Fund set up by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office at Peach State Bank & Trust.
McGahee Griffin Stewart Funeral Home in Cornelia is in charge of the arrangements, which will be held at a later date. To share your online condolences visit www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.
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