John "Tommy" McGahee

John Thomas “Tommy” McGahee

Stapleton, GA  –         John Thomas “Tommy” McGahee, 73,  entered into his eternal rest Thursday morning,  December 21, 2017. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at Your Hope Church in Matthews with Rev. Joe Walden officiating. Interment will follow in the McGahee family plot at Waldens UMC Cemetery in Avera.

One of five children born to the late Mary Davis McGahee and the late John Oliver McGahee, Tommy was a lifelong resident of Jefferson County and attended school in Avera. He quit school, later obtaining his GED, in order to work on the farm. Tommy was a jack of all trades—farming, doing construction work including electrical, laying carpet, etc, driving a gas truck and working at several companies before going into public safety. He was instrumental in bringing ambulance service to Wrens and worked as an EMT and dispatcher. He also served as a Wrens police officer; as well as being a volunteer fireman, retiring with 26 years of service, for Stapleton and Wrens. He was also a bus driver for 10 years for the Jefferson County Board of Education, after which he had his own lawn care service company until his health declined and he could no longer work. He could often be found tinkering on various equipment, especially the tractor, which he loved to “fix” and drive. Tommy enjoyed being outside, and was often working in his vegetable garden—his pride and joy; and of late, riding around watching farmers bale hay and/or clear land. He served his Lord and Savior at Your Hope Church, and volunteered his time at the Mt. Moriah Youth Camp—he loved working with the kids there.  He was always listening to gospel music--his favorite group was the Southern Song Masters. Tommy enjoyed being around people and never met a stranger, always joking and telling “back-in-the-day” stories. Above all else, he loved his family—his grandchildren stole his heart.  His favorite time of the year was Thanksgiving and Christmas since this was the time when all the family got together—for Tommy, it was all about the fellowship.  Death has left a void that no one can fill, but his love has left memories that no one can steal.

Tommy is also preceded in death by his precious son, Jeffery Thomas McGahee; and brother, Jimmy Carrol McGahee. Those left to cherish his memory include his three children, Tracie M. Jones, Cliff McGahee (Carli) and Josh McGahee (Ana); three siblings, Frank McGahee (Mary), Mary Ann Reese (Clarence) and Linda Channel (Kenneth); nine grandchildren, Kyle Jones (Breana), Jeremy Jones, Amanda Jones Clark, Carson Hayes, Tessa Hayes, Abigail McGahee, Natalia McDaniel, Alexander McGahee and Mary McGahee; three great grandchildren, Mikayla Clark, Shaun Clark and Allyanna Clark; nieces, nephews, cousins, church family and many friends. Pallbearers will be Jeremy Jones, Kyle Jones, Willie Lacey, Curt McGahee, William Schmidt and Barrow Walden.  Serving as honorary pallbearers will be retired and active members of the Wrens and Stapleton Fire Departments.

The family will receive friends at James Funeral Home from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Tuesday evening, December 26, 2017.

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