Marvin Lee "M.L." McGehee, II

Marvin Lee “M.L.” McGehee, II, 81, was called home on February 18, 2026, in Amarillo, TX. While his family grieves his passing, they find so much joy in the 81 years of stories, laughter, and friendship he left behind.

The funeral service will be at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Wayside Community Church with Byron Williamson and Larry Harvey officiating. Burial will follow in Wayside Cemetery.

Born on October 18, 1944, in Norfolk, Virginia, M.L. grew up in Happy, Texas, alongside his parents, M.I. “Kotton” and Alice McGehee, and his younger sister, Dixie. A 1963 graduate of Happy High School, M.L. went on to Texas Tech University. He played football for the Red Raiders and roped for the Texas Tech Rodeo Team.

After earning his degree in Ag Business, M.L. married Peggy Johnson in 1972. They settled on the family ranch at Wayside, Texas. It was there that they raised their two children, Trey and Ashley. He was a devoted father who covered his children in prayer throughout their lives.

M.L. was a man of many hats. While working on the ranch, he also dedicated 20 years to teaching Ag. He took great pride in "stomping out ignorance" as he educated and mentored his students with a mix of love and wisdom. His drive to help others led him to earn his pilot’s license, become a paramedic, and graduate from the first Wayside EMS class. Even after he hung up the uniform, M.L. never quite retired from the medical field in his own mind; to his very last day, he was convinced he could diagnose just about any ailment you brought to him—whether you asked for his opinion or not.

Above all, M.L. possessed a true servant’s heart and a remarkably forgiving spirit. He didn't just attend church; he lived out the gospel through his generosity and his willingness to give anyone a second chance. Though M.L. faced several health struggles throughout his life, his resilience was bolstered by the love of his family. In 2009, he was lovingly nursed back to health by his little sister, Dixie. Trey would be remiss not to acknowledge that her tireless care quite literally saved his father’s life, giving the family many more cherished years together.

A lifelong and faithful member of the First Community Church, M.L. served his community not only in the pews but also as a lay pastor. He was a fixture at the Happy Elevator, coffee shops around Amarillo, and could often be found at his favorite spot, The Golden Light on 6th Street. He spent countless hours trading stories and “solving the world’s problems” over breakfast or a burger. M.L. loved his lifelong friends and lived for his annual Happy Alumni fishing trips to Eagle Nest, NM and often crowned himself Alumni Champion.

M.L. held a special place in his heart for a select group of Trey’s friends from Happy. Whether they were playing football, camping, working cattle, hauling hay, or traveling to track meets, some of M.L.’s favorite times were retelling those stories years later. Their "payment" for a hard day's work was always the same: M.L.’s famous homemade mashed potatoes and chicken-fried steak—strictly all-you-can-eat.

Nothing, however, made him more proud than his grandchildren. He was their biggest fan, constantly marveling at the humans they had become and how well they were all doing in life. If it was your birthday, you could count on your phone ringing at the crack of dawn with Granddad on the other end, singing his heart out in his famous one-tone voice.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kotton and Alice McGehee.

M.L. is survived by his son, Trey McGehee (wife, Danielle) of Amarillo; and his daughter, Ashley Leger (husband, Mark) of Clifton, Texas; grandchildren, Treyson McGehee of Canyon, Taos McGehee of Amarillo, Zoe Windham of Waco, Zander Windham of Waco, Ella Joy Leger of Clifton, Scout Welps of Amarillo, and Lance Welps of Dumas; and great-grandson, Cal.

The family suggests memorials be to Wayside Emergency Team, PO Box 131, Wayside, TX 79094 or to the Wayside Community Church, PO Box 154, Wayside, TX 79094.