Booker T McQueen ,Jr.

Booker T. McQueen, Jr., 87, of Toledo, OH passed away peacefully at home Thursday, June 20, 2024. He was under the care of ProMedica (Heartland) Hospice. He was surrounded by loving family and devoted friend Elnora Howard.

Booker was born, November 17, 1936, in Prattville, Alabama, to Booker T. Sr. and Ada Mae McQueen. He was previously married to Louvenia Gibbons (McQueen) of Prattville, Alabama.

Before graduating from high school, Booker was able to convince recruitment officials to allow him to enlist as a private in the United States Army. He would go on to serve proudly in the paratrooper division of the Korean War. He was an alumnus of Alabama State College in Montgomery Alabama, graduating with a B.A. in Education. He also furthered his education by taking graduate courses in Behavioral Sciences and Law from the University of Michigan and the University of Toledo College of Law.

Booker began his civilian career in the community service arena. During this time, he worked for the Mayor of Toledo, The Toledo Police Department and Lucas County Juvenile Courts. He was known for his teaching abilities and giving a "hand-up" to many Toledo families. He was a mentor to teens and young men in and out of the juvenile detention system. One of his favorite mottos was "pay it forward". Booker spent the last 30 years of his professional life as an executive for the Diamler-Chrysler Corporation. During his tenure he excelled in the field of Human Resources, specializing in HR Law, EEOC as well as labor relations management and employee facilitation. He was also responsible for the recruitment and hiring of a vast number of minority employees. In this capacity he remained committed to following their progress as he monitored their job retention and promotion history.

Booker was an avid writer and enjoyed creating literary works for family and friends, including poems and other writings at special events. He was a witty and sharp conversationalist and orator, world traveler, and sought out by many for his keen mentoring and advising skills. His knowledge was straightforward and accessible to anyone. He was highly respected by everyone who encountered him regardless of their station. His negotiating skills transcended differences between union and management, and various ranks within professional circles and in his personal life. He was a born-again Christian, being baptized in Christ at an early age and taught Sunday School at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Toledo, Ohio.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Booker T. Sr. and Ada McQueen, brother, Fred L. McQueen, sister Sadie Grove, "special daughter" Louise Grove and "special son" Preston Gibbons.

Booker is survived by his daughter, Alvenia McQueen of Herndon, Virginia, sons, Andrew Booker T. McQueen (Arika), Kevin McQueen (Allison) of Toledo, "Special Son" Keith (Karen), "Special Daughters" Felicia and Tonya, grandchildren, Jonathon, Michael (Katya), Marquell, Kayla (Pedro), Madison, LouAnn, Olivia, Drew, Micah, Daisy and Kinslee, "Special Grandchildren" Natasha and Cassandra Franklin, Harley Willis and Ashiana Walls, great-grandchildren and a host of loving family and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Booker T McQueen ,Jr., please visit our floral store.