Dates
Gary Lee McGehee heard his Master's call on March 25th, 2014 after a long illness. The family would like to thank everyone for their constant support and prayers. Special thanks go to the Mertzon Methodist Church and Park Plaza Nursing Home Family Council. The family requests that memorials be sent to these organizations in lieu of flowers. The Funeral service will be 10:00 A.M., Saturday, March 29, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church of Mertzon with Pastor Mark Smith officiating. The burial will follow in Mertzon Cemetery.
Gary was born in Clifton, Texas, on January 6, 1948. He was raised by his parents, grandparents, and a host of friends in Morgan, Texas. Upon his graduation from Morgan High School in 1965, he came to visit his father in Mertzon where he was reintroduced to the love of his life, Carolyn Tullos. He and Carolyn were married August 23, 1969. After graduation from Angelo State University, they moved to Pottsville, Texas, then Wink, Texas, to teach and coach. They returned to Irion County in 1976 to begin a career in agriculture.
He was the proud father of Dr. Michael Lee McGehee of Houston, Maggie Lynn McGehee Byrd of Muleshoe, and Miles Lane McGehee of Halifax, Novia Scotia. He delighted in his children and was a dedicated supporter of them from athletics to band and a constant source of knowledge that will guide them through their lives. He admired and respected his son-in-law, Kirk Byrd, and admitted he was almost good enough for his daughter. He was Pawpaw to Garrett Lee, Wylie Lane, and Olivia Monroe Byrd of Muleshoe, Texas. Nothing made him happier than to brag about his children or to pass around pictures of his grandchildren.
Gary was an avid rancher and always said his job was to raise natural grasses with improved conservation practices and to use livestock for the harvest. He enjoyed ranching and loved raising his family on the ranch. He served his love for agriculture as State Director of the Texas Farm Bureau and as a member of the Executive Board of The American Sheep Industry.
He served on the Irion County School Board, the local Farm Bureau board and was a member of the Mertzon Methodist Church and Mertzon Lions Club.
He is preceded in death by his father, Harold McGehee, his step mother, Martha McGehee, and his step father, Larry Strickland. He is survived by his mother, Betty Strickland of Arden, Texas, his parents-in-law, Bill and Margie Tullos of San Angelo, his wife, three children, three grandchildren, and his three brothers, Dicky, Ricky, and Max McGehee.
Pall bearers will be Cecil Bannister, Alvie Carrell, Pete Case, Benny Cox, Randy Gully, Paul Lawdermilk, Sutton Page and Dave Stinnett. Honorary pall bearers will be Bill Arms and Bub Bailey.
What more can one say about a man than that he is loved and respected by all.