Thomas Burton McGee

Thomas Burton McGee, age 89, of Farmington died February 25, 2016 at the Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville. He was born on February 5, 1927 in Cardin, Oklahoma. He was the son of the late Ernest Burton McGee and Pernie Qualls McGee Turrentine of Springdale, Arkansas. He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ellen Plumlee McGee, his parents, two sisters, Roberta Perry of Springdale and Bernadeen Farr, three step-brothers, Ed Turrentine of Fayetteville, Bill Turrentine of Goshen, and Faye Turrentine of Oklahoma. He has one surviving step-sister, Freda Will. Second only to his devotion to his Lord, was his love for his wife Mary Ellen and his family. They were married 61 years. He has three surviving children; Kathy Wallace and her husband Michael Wallace of Lincoln, Brenda Laney and her husband Randy Laney of Farmington, and Greg McGee and his wife Karen Caselman McGee of Farmington, 14 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. In 1945 Burton enlisted in the Navy and served on the USS Higbee, Navy destroyer. He began Burton McGee Construction Company in 1965 and continued the craft for 50 years. Burton enjoyed life to the fullest with his family and friends. He was always ready to lend a helping hand, tell a joke, dance the two-step, encourage a friend, and have a good laugh. He enjoyed gardening, camping, music, travel, wood working, and a big bowl of ice cream. He became a deacon at Calvary Baptist Church of Fayetteville in 1973. He was also a member of the Prairie Grove Gideons for over25 years. Over the past five years he has been active at the Farmington Senior Center. The family would like to express their gratitude to Willard Walker Hospice Home and the Highland Oncology Group for the exceptional care and treatment that enabled Burton to live life to the fullest. Visitation will be from 3-5 p.m., Sunday, February 28, 2016 at Moore's Chapel in Fayetteville, Ark. Funeral will be at 10 a.m., Monday February 29, 2016 at Calvary Baptist Church in Fayetteville with Bro. Gene Fulcher officiating along with Bro. Phil Misenheimer. Interment will follow at Zion Cemetery under the direction of Moore's Chapel. In lieu of flowers please donate to: Farmington Senior Center or the Willard Walker Hospice Home. Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Jason Selby, Micah Laney, Joshua McGee, Daniel Laney, John Mark Laney, Yura Laney, Matthew Laney and Jordan Wallace. To sign the online guest book, visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.