John R. McGary, Jr.

John Ruben McGary John Jr. "Papaw" Born on December 12, 1922 Went home to be with Our LORD July 27, 2012 John was preceded in death by his parents John Ruben McGary Sr. Nellie Folsom Rampy McGary Wife Juanita Racker McGary Sons Kenneth Wade McGary Donald Lee McGary John is survived by son Douglas Ray McGary and wife Diana McGary Collette Braesfield, Lynette McGary Granddaughters Jennifer Antar (Ed) Amy Edmondson (Rylan) Kelly Stratton (Rob) Lori Dale (Lee) Great Grandchildren Madeline, Jacob, Annie Antar Alex and Kayla Edmondson Gracie De Foe Jase Stratton ====================================================== John Ruben McGary Jr. "John Jr." "Papaw" Was born to John Ruben McGary Sr. and Nellie Folsom Rampy McGary on December 12, 1922 in Cayuga Texas. He attended Cayuga High School and played catcher, right field and third base in baseball and forward & guard in basketball. After graduating High School he went to Junior College and majored in automotive and machinery for 2 years. John loved his country, so when he was needed, he signed up for what was then called Army/Air force in WWII. His military occupational specialty was Aircraft Armament and Rifle Marksman. He served our country in France, Normandy, Rhineland and Air Offensive Europe. He was decorated as a Corporal First Class and received honors of Distinguished Unit Badge, Fame Campaign Medal, 4 bronze stars, Army Meritorious Unit award, and Go 254 9th Air Force good conduct medals. When the war ended he left the service with an honorable discharge on October 15, 1945 from Fort Sam in Houston Texas. He married his childhood sweet heart Juanita Racker, (who he met on a blind date). Shortly after his discharge from the service they moved to Houston. He was blessed with three sons, Kenneth Wade, Donald Lee and Douglas Ray. While in Houston John worked for Reddings Ice Cream Parlor (Hm-m-m Go figure) ?? He worked for Hughes Tool Company as machine mechanic and after 40 years retired. He and Juanita moved to Canyon Lake Tx to enjoy the beautiful peace of the Hill Country to spend time with son Doug and daughter- n-law Diana. John had many skills and hobbies, he could fix anything that was broken. He and wife Juanita enjoyed wood working, wood shelves, crosses, and barbed-wire art for family and friends. He also made many Wahoo Boards out of wood that started a family tradition that will be carried on for many generations to come. John enjoyed fishing at his family's lake house at Red Lake in Cayuga, and hunting at the deer lease with good friends Bobby and Gleasa Shirley and sons Don and Doug every fall. He also became a Dog groomers helper at the late age of 70's and until he was 89 helped his daughter Diana groom her beloved dogs. He spent many hours holding and loving them so they felt safe and comfy. At the age of 88 he started working out at VJ's Fitness and made many lasting friendships. John was blessed with 4 beautiful granddaughters Jennifer Antar, Amy Edmondson, Kelly Stratton, and Lori Dale. John also loved Michael Braesfield as a grandson. He had 7 great grandchildren Madeline, Jacob and Annie Antar, Alex and Kayla Edmondson, Gracie De Foe and newest blessing Jase Stratton. John gave love and gratitude to Collette Braesfield and Lynette McGary, who were responsible for giving him the honor and gift of being a Papaw. He loved all of his wonderful family and we do believe he played Wahoo with each and everyone, except our newest baby Jase. John also spent many fun times with his sister-n-law Peggy and her children Kathy and husband Rusty, Lori, Michael, Barbie, JoAnne, Jean and their children at Mama Peggs for a delicious meal and family time. John loved Peggy's great cooking and spent many evenings at her house with sister-n- law Faye and brother-n-law James Roy after she moved to Canyon Lake. He loved Jonathan and Marsha Walker (Diana's sister and her husband) as his own children, enjoying midnight games of Wahoo, dominos and Marsha's excellent cake, pie and cookie skills. Not to mention the loving massages and beautiful guitar and saxophone playing that they so generously gave him. John touched so many lives in so many ways. He cherished his daughter Linda King who claimed him right from the start as her "Earthly Dad" after her dad had gone to Heaven and her son Billy enjoyed many holiday meals with John. He Loved his Precious "Tambo" who took such loving care of him. They enjoyed lunches, laughter, rides in the park and heated afternoon games of dominos. He opened his home to Diana's childhood friends Pat Gordon, Gilbert and Gayle Thomson and Rex and Michelle Gordon to live until they could return to Houston after the hurricane hit. He so loved them because they had spent so many years laughing, visiting and "YES EATING". I think that all who had known John would agree that his favorite past time was eating..anything especially ice cream. This was rivaled only by Wahoo and dominos. Yes Papaw John loved his food!!! but never gained a pound". !!! John was also blessed to be loved as Papaw to Craig, Colleen and Jennifer Harris, Pete, Suzy and Skylar Hansen and beautiful Meredith Hernandez, who would run to meet him after church with a big hug for her Papaw. He was honored to have Darrell, Cindy, Tanner, and Logan Braune want him to be their Papaw. Whenever he would see them, he would always say "Come give your Papaw a big hug" he sure loved those boys!! John loved life. Always telling Diana he wanted to live to 100. Being an example by teaching sweet Meredith to play dominos at 88. Playing 4 to 5 hour domino games with friend Delia and almost winning every game. John had a compassion for ALL GODS creation, but there was never a time he did not have a dog or 2 or 4. Most of all in his later years he enjoyed his "girls" Savannah and Ruby, who he rescued as babies and loved as much as life itself.. John loved going to Cornerstone Church with his family and was baptized September 21st 2003 at the young age of "80". He loved JESUS as his LORD and SAVIOUR and prayed for and with people all the time. He would go to hospitals and homes with Doug and Diana and would pray for anyone in need. His was blessed to have the honor to pray with friend Cathy for healing and got to witness as she asked JESUS to be her LORD and SAVIOUR, and loved hugs from Cathy, Bonnie, and Kellie so-o much. He graciously had bible study at his home for 3 yrs. and met Dave, Laurie, Joseph and Linda Iten who blessed him with their family time during the Christmas season and birthdays with lots of " sweets " !!! In his later years he enjoyed another bible study at Barry and Pam Dorfmans home, taught by loved brother in CHIRST Garry Allen and wife Hug a Bug darlin' Brenda Allen who always hugged and kissed him and made him smile. He loved all that came to that bible study, they always included him in every talk and made him feel important and loved by his family in CHRIST. Of course, there was always plenty of "food". John so appreciated all the personal love time and "FOOD" that Ron and Nancy Miller constantly gave him. What servants of GOD they are. The many years of kindness from Rhonda and Spicey laughter to that last hug from Jolene. Donna and her beautiful book of encouragement inspired by JESUS. He enjoyed great hair cuts from Joan and Romeo's kisses and fried green tomatoes mixed with joy and care that his wonderful neighbors Jodi and Lance shared with him. The big warm surprise hugs from Clarence and gift of beautiful tie from Joe Leone. The prayers laughter and final "thumbs up" he shared with Maurice and Eileen Hicks. John will love the celebration in HEAVEN !!!!!!!! Especially the marriage "SUPPER" of THE LAMB. I can just imagine he is sharing ice cream with JESUS right now !!!!!! Thanks to GOD for the Hospice team and genuine compassion and love of Susan, Katy, Dorothy, Lee, Chaplin Roberto and all the aides that are blessed with that "SPECIAL GIFT" How wonderful it is to have been loved so much by so many, John you will always be in our hearts.