Dr. Gerald A. McIntosh

Dr. Gerald A. McIntosh peacefully passed away on January 24, 2022, at his home in Macon, Georgia at the age of 80. He was born on September 19, 1941, in Detroit, Michigan to loving parents Sedalia & John McIntosh. Gerald graduated from Central High School in 1959 and received a sports scholarship to Central State University, where he played basketball and football. Upon graduation in 1963, he advanced to earn a master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University, followed by a PhD in Education from Michigan State University. As an educator and activist, Gerald worked with school desegregation programs, urban studies, and school leadership in Michigan and nationally. In 1980, he was appointed U.S. Peace Corps Country Director for Swaziland, Africa, then promoted to Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa based in Washington, DC. He later combined his passion for education and international experience to advance International Studies Programs at Michigan Tech University, the University of Minnesota, and Fort Valley State University, before retiring in 2006. Throughout his life, Gerald was a champion for social justice and inspired many with his dry wit and enthusiasm for exotic cuisines, coffee, and travel. He loved experiencing new cultures and was an avid outdoorsman, traveling the Americas in his RV, visiting friends and family with his dog, fishing rods, bikes, and kayaks in tow.

An enormously proud family man, Gerald is survived by his children Gary A. McIntosh (Mika), Garvey A. McIntosh (Melanie), and Ayana K. McIntosh-Lee (Shiheim), his former spouses Gwendolyn McIntosh & Rhodina Covington-McIntosh, and seven grandchildren Anisa, Anya, Shayne, Siona, Graeson, Jasmine and Daisy. 

Celebration of life ceremony & donations 

A celebration of life ceremony will be held on Saturday, February 5th at 6 pm EST at Sardis Heard Center - 6125 Houston Road, Macon, GA 31206. Friends and family can also join virtually via https://fb.watch/b7Kb17m0q1/. 

In lieu of flowers, the McIntosh family would appreciate donations be made to the CDEP scholarship fund at Fort Valley State University https://bit.ly/CDEPScholarshipDrGMcIntosh. CDEP provides minority students opportunities to pursue dual degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines. 

Sardis-Heard Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 6125 Houston Road, Macon, GA 31216 has charge of the arrangements.