Joseph Mcgehee

Joseph Grant (JG) McGehee, 88 of Garber, OK died Friday, February 10, 2017 at his residence. He was born in rural Seminole, County Oklahoma on August 14, 1928 to Carl and Myrtle (Hodges) McGehee. Joe married his best friend Joy Burt on December 24, 1955 in Fort Worth, Texas while serving in the US Army.

He and Joy moved to Garber in 1968 from Liberal, Kansas and together they owned and operated the Champlin Service Station in Garber before closing in 1980. Following this Joe worked in various oil fields and companies retiring from BHP Petroleum. He also served on the Garber Fire Department for 22 years. During the near 50 years Joe lived in Garber he served two terms as Mayor, two terms on the City Council, a member of the Garber Community Improvement Association. Joe joined the Garber Lions Club in 1969 and had 48 years of perfect attendance. He served three terms as Club President. He served as a Trustee for the IOA Boys Ranch serving as president of the board for three terms. The Ranch later changed its name to the Oklahoma Lions Boys Ranch after which Lion Joe served another term as trustee and president of the board. In 1961, the Lions International Foundation honored him with a Melvin Jones Fellowship, the highest honor bestowed on a club member. In 1997, Joe was selected the Lions District 3-A as Lion of the Year. In May 2004, the Lions of Oklahoma honored Joe with the Dr. Bob McCullough Meritorious Award for his outstanding service, loyalty and devotion to Lionism. He was the first Lion who had not served the organization as a District Governor and only the 14th Lion to receive this honor in the State of Oklahoma. It was Joe who always made the motion to adjourn the Lions meetings in Garber. He will be missed by all Lions statewide.

Joe was a devoted citizen in Garber. A loving husband, father and grandfather but more than that a humanitarian who was willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. He was known for his Fruit Cocktail Cake and his famous Fudge. He loved to garden and was known for his vegetables, strawberries and fruit trees. His faith was important to him as well. He was a member of the Garber United Methodist Church.

Joe is survived by his children: Jeff McGehee and wife, Rouchelle of Enid; Layne McGehee and wife, Kristy of Garber; Claire Buzzard of Enid. Grandchildren: Anna and Hope McGehee of Stillwater, Taylor McGehee of Garber and Molly and Ridge Buzzard of Enid. Great-Grandchildren: Anthony and Joe. Brother: Jerry McGehee and wife, Patsy. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joy in 2011, parents as well as brothers and sisters.

Services for Joseph McGehee will be held Thursday, February 16, 2017, 10:00 am at the Garber United Methodist Church with Reverend Jim Edmison officiating. Burial will follow at the Garber Cemetery. Friends may call at the Dugger Funeral Home in Garber, Oklahoma on Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:00 am until 8:00 pm. For those desiring, memorial contributions may be made to the Garber Lions Club or the Garber United Methodist Church in care of Dugger Funeral Home, 1010 N 7th Street, Perry, OK 73077.

Visitation

Dugger Funeral Home
9401 Arapaho
Garber, OK  74630
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
8:00 am - 8:00 pm

Dugger Funeral Home
9401 Arapaho
Garber, OK  74630
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
8:00 am - 8:00 pm

Service

First United Methodist Church
502 Seneca Street
Garber, OK
Thursday, February 16, 2017
10:00 am

Cemetery

Garber Cemetery
U.S. Highway 74 and Phillips Road on the northern edge of Garber
Garber, OK

Memorial Contributions

Garber Lions Club
1010 N 7th Street
Perry, OK  73077

Garber United Methodist Church
1010 N 7th Street
Perry, OK  73077