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Mar 6th, 1931 - Aug 28th, 2020Graveside Ceremony: 11:30 a.m. Monday September 7, 2020, at Campground Cemetery
Jimmy D. “J.D.” McGehee, age 89, of Sun City Center, Florida, and formerly of Flora, Illinois, passed away early Friday morning, August 28, 2020, in Riverview, Florida.
He was born March 6, 1931, in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, the son of William Oscar and Mildred (Flannigan) McGehee. He was united in marriage to Joyce Jacobs on November 27, 1950. He later married Carol Jean Haslett on June 5, 1971, and she preceded him in death May 6, 2003.
J.D. served in the Air Force, stationed in Texas. He attended Southern Illinois University where he earned his bachelor’s degree and studied Law Enforcement. J.D. taught shop/electricity and woodworking classes at Flora Township High School. He was then hired as a police officer and went on to become the Flora Chief of Police for several years before finally returning to his original love of teaching at the Junior High School. J.D. was very active in the Shriners and always very patriotic. You could always count on him to volunteer where he was needed and could find him on any given weekend ringing the bell for the Salvation Army. He loved working with his hands and creating things. He enjoyed camping, fishing, and hunting and was often seen wearing one of his favorite Hawaiian print shirts.
He is survived by his children: Jamie M. Eggleston of Florida, Meridith Herdes (Dean Holmes) of Sun City Center, Florida, Andrew (DeeAnn) McGehee of Flora, Tammy (R.D.) White of Dwight, Terri (Brent) Briscoe of Benton, Kentucky, and Sherri Milner of Highland; grandchildren: Joshua, Jason and Frankie Eggleston, Jarrod and Sola Eggleston, Dr. Rachel Herdes and Paul Dean, A.J. McGehee, Cody McGehee, Maleah White, Melissa (Andrew) Funk, Lacey (Matt) Francies, Shalan Lake, Cory Lake, and Lindsey Milner; great-grandchildren: Jordan and Jayden Eggleston, and Jae Ashley and Joy Madison Eggleston, Brody Funk, McKinley and Baylor Francies, Dylan Lake, Chance Warnecke, and Kyler Lake.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife: Carol Jean Haslett McGehee; and a grandson: Trent Briscoe.
A graveside ceremony will be held 11:30 a.m. Monday September 7, 2020, at Campground Cemetery with the presentation of military funeral honors. Memorial donations are suggested to Clay County Cancer Crusaders or the Shriners. Arrangements are in the care of Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. To share a memory or condolence visit: www.frankandbright.com
Oct 27, 1934 - Apr 21, 2024
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Mr. McGeHee was such a nice person. He will definitely be missed. God Bless the family with hugs, prayers and comfort.
We are so so sorry to hear this. Jamie, Meredith and Andy. Your dad had a good life and he enjoyed it to the fullest and best of all, he did with all. Love you and hugs.
Our condolences to the family. We loved this sweet man. RIP Jim❣️
Terri and Lacey Jo, Sherri and Tammy and your families, So sorry to hear about Jim's passing. Caring thoughts are with you all during this sad time. Hoping the memories of good times past will remain in your hearts forevet.
Such a awesome teacher and friend. Always fun to talk too. We will miss you. Prayers for the family
What a proud public servant and good friend Jim was to our community. Rest In Peace “neighbor” .
I remember when he arrived in Flora— as we were neighbors. Always enjoyed talking to him. My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.
Just last evening I was involved in a woodworking project and thought of Jim and being first exposed to woodworking during a class he taught one summer at the Jr. High. His influence and memory will endure. Our condolences to the McGehee family.
I am so very sorry for your loss, my thoughts are with everyone who knew him. He was one of my all time favorite teachers
Terri, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
So sorry for your loss. May you find Comfort and Peace in the LORD. Have so many good memories of this GREAT family friend.
one of my most favorite teachers! he will be missed. Thoughts and prayers with the family they have lost a great man.
He was an outstanding man, teacher and friend. I have known him my whole life and he was never anything but kind. Our families were always friends. He will be sadly missed by the whole community.
So sorry to learn of Jim’s passing! We taught together for several years and he was always a dedicated and fun colleague! God bless you all as you cope with this great loss!!
Thoughts and prayers!
Sherri, our deepest sympathy to you & your family during this difficult time. Prayers
One of the finest men I ever knew.
Andy I'm so saddened by this news. Sorry for your families loss. Your dad was my favorite teacher and just an all around wonderful man. He will be missed by many. Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Fly high Mr McGehee.
So saddened... I loved Mr McGehee my whole life. He was always so good to me and as I got older he was a dear friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
So sorry for the family's loss. He was a wonderful person and will be missed. Praying for the family. Cathy Waggoner Hartman
Mr. McGehee was one of my favorite teachers. Wonderful man.
When I wanted to quit Flora high school, Jim looked me straight in the eye and said, “That’s not going to happen. “ Jim stayed on my case until we moved to Vincennes. I’ll never forget him.
I was so sad to hear this news. Such a wonderful man! My prayers are with all of you as you take this great man to his resting place.
I am very sad to hear of Mr Mcgehee passing he was one of my teachers and great guy he introduced me to woodworking which is my favorite pass time he will be greatly missed.
Mr. McGehee was the only reason I understood 6th grade geography. His memory has forever stayed with me from years after. I live out of state now, but I am always sure to use him as an example to my when it come to learning. They know him well, yet not at all. RIP Mr. McGeHee. You will be missed more than you know!
My condolences to the family, Jim was such a great man and will sadly be missed. He was one of my favorite teachers and a good friend The world lost a wonderful man.
Rest in peace dear neighbor and Jaime I am so sorry for your loss.
So sorry for your loss.
He was my drafting and electricity “shop” teacher. Marvelous man, admired and respected by all. Such fond memories.
I wish to express my sympathy to the family of my friend and fellow teacher. I will miss his smile, and we shared many a laugh together. He was a good Father and a fine teacher.
Ladies and Andy sorry for your loss. Peace be with you. I have Fond memories of Jim! Hoping you all are doing well.
A man i will never forget. One of the few teachers in Flora who had a positive impact on me, at a time when i most needed it. Rest in Peace, good and faithful servant.
A man i will never forget. One of the few teachers in Flora who had a positive impact on me, at a time when i most needed it. Rest in Peace, good and faithful servant.
I had Mr. McGehee as a teacher in 6th grade. Since then, even into my adult years, he was always so kind to me every time I saw him, and often commented on my Facebook posts. He was the sweetest man. Heaven definitely gained an angel. So sorry for your loss.
Mr. JIM was one of the kindest, sweetest, and happy souls that we’ve ever befriended - about 52 years ago-playing card game. Such a fun fellow, and worshipped with him every Sunday after he met Carol. Ate fish that he caught, fried, and shared. We loved JIM and his kind, happy ways. All humans should be so kind and helpful. He will be missed, and Heaven gained Jim’s wonderful Soul where there will be so much joy as he passed through the Pearly Gates with a smile, to say, “Hey, how are you doin’? - to his friends and our Heavenly Father!.” We will miss a great friend, Jim ❣️
So many lives were changed for the better because of this great man. He will be missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family. He was a wonderful man and a beloved teacher! I know he will be missed.
I'm so sorry to hear about your dad passing! He was always joking around with me when I would see him out and about!!!!
Jimbo, rest in peace my friend.
My husband, Russell, taught with J.D, in Flora Jr. High. We both loved him and are saddened to learn of his passing from this life. Maybe he and Russell will find each other in Heaven as they both surely must be there for eternity.
Truly a great teacher and person that touched my lives. I still have many of the wood pieces from shop class some 40+ yrs ago. We were blessed to have him as a teacher.
I never knew Jimmy -- I only learned of him earlier this year when I was doing genealogical research on his grandmother Eva (Anderson) Flannigan Jamerson. From his obituary, to the praises of the students he helped, it's obvious he was a very caring person and teacher. My utmost condolences go out to his family and friends.
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