Max Mcgaughey

With his heart full of loving memories and no regrets in life, on November 7, 2017, Max Lee McGaughey passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family.  This former resident of Beloit, KS fearlessly endured a battle with Lewy Body Dementia.  Born in Beloit on October 31, 1942, he was the oldest son of Max B. and Violet E. McGaughey.  With his humorous banter he would tell anyone that the stork didn't deliver him - his arrival was on a broomstick.

Growing up in the Asherville/Beloit area, Max learned the lessons of hard work, love of family, and laughter.  He was a proud member of the class of 1960 at BHS.  He continued his education at Kansas State University.  Being on the pay as you go plan, Max would go to school a semester and work a semester.  He put his college endeavors on hold to see the world via the US Army.  Joining him on this adventurous journey was his home town sweetheart, Betty L. Guard. They were joined in marriage on April 12, 1964.  Their marriage was a lifetime of devotion which continued even after his bride of 50 years lost her battle with cancer on September 16, 2014.This union was blessed with a daughter, Diana Sue and a son, Mark Lee.

Max and Betty embarked on their journey with a sense of adventure and a need to discover their surroundings.  They enjoyed assignments all over the world – Asmara Eretria, Ethiopia, Turkey, Japan, Korea, Okinawa, Germany as well as Texas, Georgia, and Maryland.  Each and every day of his 22+ year career in the military allowed Max to seek out new places, cultures and expand his ever-growing collection of coins and artifacts.  As a history buff, he not only sought out new places but took great pleasure in finding out their history and origins.

After his retirement from the Army in 1985, Max and Betty returned to their hometown of Beloit.  Where they were actively involved in community events and projects.  He was a faithful member of the First Christian Church where he served as a deacon.  He served as a member of the Beloit City Council, held office in the Beloit Chamber of Commerce and was an incredibly devoted member of the Beloit Rotary Club as well as the Solomon Valley Coin Club.   As an avid collector, horse trader, and with the gift of bargaining he enjoyed running Beloit Gun and Pawn before retiring again in the Fall of 2012.

After the death of his wife, he made a hard decision and left his much-loved community and became a "token Texan" as he would say.  He continued to enjoy his passions and surrounding himself with everyday activities and family.  He very much followed the activities and shenanigans of his four grandsons and other friends and family members who are scattered about the world.

Preceding him in death were his parents Max B. and Violet E. McGaughey, his devoted wife Betty Lou and his adventuresome sister Linda Lou Leiter.

Left to celebrate his life are his daughter Diana Sue and husband Paul Kohler Ingleside, TX.  His son Mark Lee and wife Naomi East Grand Forks MN.  His brother Robert McGaughey and wife Carol, Wichita, KS.  His pride and joy grandsons – Cody Kohler and wife Asuka, Ingleside, TX, Chalon Kohler, Lompoc CA, Ethan and Conner McGaughey East Grand Forks MN and a host of other family and friends that will miss and carry on his memory.

Funeral services will be at 10 am Wednesday November 15, 2017 at the First Christian Church Beloit, KS.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Beloit Rotary Club to be included as part of their annual donation to the Beloit Food Pantry, a program which Max was fond of.