John McGaugh

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

Johnnie Max McGaugh, age 81, went to be with the Lord at 7:54 pm, Thursday, November 16, 2023, at his home following an illness.

Johnnie was born October 26, 1942, in Carthage. MO to Claude and Ruby (Anderson) McGaugh. He was raised in Carthage, MO and graduated from Carthage High School. He moved to Galena in 1963.

John was a police officer for the City of Galena in the early years. From there he worked at Vickers, Joplin for several years before he began driving for Yellow Freight. He drove out of Baxter Springs, KS then was transferred to Springfield, MO before being stationed at Dallas, TX. He worked for 30 years for Yellow Transit, retiring in 2008.

John rodeoed in his younger days. John was a bulldogger. He loved horses and anything cowboy. You never saw John without wearing his cowboy hat, jeans, and boots. (John was a real cowboy). John loved his old cars and racing. He was President of several car clubs in the area and showed his cars all around. He has a massive number of trophies to prove his love of cars.

In between those times, John loved to ride his Harley Davidson. He rode it a lot while he was working in Texas. He enjoyed going on rides with his friends and family. He was a member of the Baxter Springs-Galena Masonic Lodge.

John was married to Judith Ann McGeary on October 16, 1964, in Galena, KS. She survives.

Additional survivors include two daughters, Sherry Boaz, Kansas City, and Connie Castagno (David), Cherokee, KS; five grandchildren, Tara McGaugh was his oldest granddaughter, his baby doll and sugar bear, Ethan Brookshire, Samantha Villarreal, Lori Boaz and Lesli Boaz; and 10 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother, Doug McGaugh, Callman, AL; two sisters-in-law, Cheryl Richie (Sparks), and Vickie Gibbin (Dan Wooten); two nieces and 2 nephews; many friends and special friend and neighbor Kelly ward and wife, Janice.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his father and mother in-law, James and Betty McGeary, one brother, Dennis McGaugh, and two nephews, Chad and Robert Clark.

John was entrusted to Derfelt Funeral Home, Galena, Kansas. The family will host a Celebration of Life at a later date.