Jack McBee, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, a.k.a. Daddy Jack, passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 26, 2022, at the age of 101 in Durant, Okla.
A lifelong resident of Bryan County, born in Roberta, Okla. on October 26, 1920, to his parents, Newt and Johnnie May (Adams) McBee who were born in I.T. He attended Cobb schools, graduating in 1939, where he was an outstanding athlete in track, basketball, and baseball. He earned many track medals and at one time held the record 880 at the Southeastern High School Track meet.
It was while attending Cobb Schools he met the love of his life, Johnnye McElroy, at the young age of 7 years old. He would tell stories of twisting her curls in class to get her attention. They dated through school and were married on June 6, 1942, in Durant at the minister’s house. Jack and Johnnye (McElroy) McBee were long standing members of the First United Methodist Church of Durant.
He attended Southeastern on a football scholarship, but left in September 1940 when the 45th Infantry was mobilized, and Jack was one the first to go to Camp Barkley in Texas to construct barracks and the training facilities where the 45th Infantry Division began armor training. It was at Camp Barkley during armor training that Jack received a major injury, resulting in a medical discharge in December 1941.
Jack returned to Durant and had a fortunate meeting with Judge Robert L. Williams and became a close confidant with Judge Williams, assisting him with his ranch operations and traveling with him to his various properties and judgeships.
Feeling his service to his country was not over, he somehow got back into the 45th Infantry and when Korea come along, he felt he needed to go “with his boys” and, being a M/Sgt, was sent to Fort Knox for additional armor training prior to going to Japan and Korea, earning the following service medals – Army Occupation Medal (Japan), Combat Service Medal, Korean Service Medal W/one Bronze Star and UN Service Medal.
Returning to Durant after serving in Korea, he went to work for Bryan County District No. 1 for another 40 plus years and during this time was appointed interim County Commissioner three times. He also implemented the first Food Commodity Program for the county.
Jack loved the outdoors, watching birds, hunting squirrel, quail and deer in addition to fishing. He and wife Johnnye were avid square dancers, traveling all over the U.S. attending many square dances, and teaching his grandchildren the fine art of playing dominoes and fishing.
He served several years as President of Hickory Hollow Rod and Gun Club and was once co-president of the Durant High School Football Booster Club with his good friend Jake Hopkins.
Jack is survived by the love of his life, Johnnye (McElroy) McBee, having been married just shy of 80 years. In addition, he is survived by his son, Noel and wife Linda of Plano, Texas; granddaughters, Kimberly Grogan of Plano, Texas, Mia Tangeman and husband Dave of Plano, Texas; great-grandchildren: Kyle Tangeman, Cody Tangeman, and Garrison Grogan of Plano, Texas and Kenzie Grogan of Austin, Texas; brother, Dwaine McBee and wife Teresa of Mead; nieces, Donna Kay Banks and husband Bill of Jenks, Okla., Janie Hall and husband Rick of Mansfield, Texas; nephews, Paul McBee of Durant and Don Singleton and wife Kathy of Bokchito, Okla.
Preceding in death were his parents, Newt and Johnnie May (Adams) McBee; stepmother, Frances McBee; sisters, Ruth Singleton and husband Morris; Mae McClure; brothers, Marvin McBee and wife Addie, Junior McBee and wife Mildred and his Aunt Ruth (McBee) Adams and Uncle Morgan Adams, who raised him after the early death of his mother.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Brookdale Assisted Living, Centric Home Health and Hospice and Dr. Mike Lee and his wife for their compassionate care for Jack.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date.
