Major John W. McGee
Obituary
NEWTON — Major John W. McGee, 72, of Newton passed away on
Sunday (Jan. 1, 2012) at Kidron Bethel Health Care of metastatic malignant
melanoma.
John (JW) was born on July 24, 1939, in Cherokee, Okla., the
son of John D. and Minnie (Shellhammer) McGee. On Aug. 22, 1987, he married
Beverly Ann (Haury) at First Presbyterian Church in Newton.
He attended school in Kiowa, graduating from Kiowa High
School. John was a Kansas State University graduate with a degree in business
administration and was a member of the Alpha Kappa Lambda Fraternity. He
enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1962 and attended OCS in Quantico, Va. In
1964 he received his designation as a Naval Aviator at Helicopter Training
Squadron Eight, Auxiliary Landing Field Ellyson, Pensacola, Fla., and was given
his Navy “Wings of Gold.” He was separated from the U. S. Marine Corps at the
rank of Captain in 1973.
He joined the Kansas Army National Guard in 1979 and retired
in February 1989.
His service with the KSARNG was with Headquarters and
Headquarters Battery 130th Field Artillery Brigade, Hutchinson, and
Headquarters and Headquarters Company 35th Infantry Division, Leavenworth.
His rewards and decorations include the National Defense
Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal,
Certificate of Commendation, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation,
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Army Service Ribbon, Army Commendation
Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal and Army Achievement Medal.
John worked many years in Wichita as a sales engineer.
During his retirement years he worked for Concrete Vaults of Newton. John
volunteered for Meals on Wheels and enjoyed the people he met weekly.
He had been a member of the Newton Chamber of Commerce, past
President of Newton Lions Club (2008-2009), Peace Connections, Wichita Military
Officers Association of America (MOAA) Chapter, VFW and American Legion. In his
spare time, John enjoyed landscaping projects. He will be remembered for his
passion of helping those that were in need.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, having
served on the session and was chairman of Building & Grounds. He had been a
deacon, Sunday school teacher and choir member, along with being involved in
many other church activities.
Survivors include his wife, Beverly, of the home; sons, John
Gregory (Debbie) McGee, Cary, Ill., Christopher Jay (Emily) McGee of Topeka and
2nd Lt. Mark Allen McGee of Newton; daughter, Melissa Ann (Justin) Vajnar of
Newton; four grandchildren, Sarah McGee, Jake Vajnar, Andrew McGee and Ethan
McGee; sister, Carol McGee of Kiowa; brother, Max McGee of Kiowa;
mother-in-law, Evelyn Haury of Newton; sister-in-laws, Crystal McGee of Edmond,
Okla., and Deborah Bertram of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; brother-in-laws, Doug Haury of
Newton, Ron Haury of Newton and Larry (Dana) Haury of El Dorado; and numerous
nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his parents; brother, James
Brent McGee; and father-in-law, Dr. Walter Haury.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Petersen
Funeral Home in Newton, with the family present from 6 to 7 p.m. to greet
friends.
A memorial service will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday at First
Presbyterian Church in Newton. The family will have a private family inurnment
at Greenwood Cemetery preceding the memorial service.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to the
Wichita Community Foundation on behalf of the Junior ROTC and Harry Hynes
Memorial Hospice.
