As is my custom for the past 21 years, my year end column illuminates Alabama political luminaries that passed away this year. We lost some good ones.

Former State Senator and Lt. Governor George McMillan passed away in Birmingham at 81. George was a vivacious, delightful gentleman, who never met a stranger. I never knew anyone who ever met George that did not like him. He began his meteoric political career at an early age. He was elected to the State Senate from Jefferson County in 1974 and was elected Lt. Governor in 1978. He lost a razor-thin election to George Wallace for Governor in 1982. Many predicted he would win that race and, if elected, would have given Alabama a “New South” Governor.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at steve@steveflowers.us.