Derry David Magee, D.V.M.

Derry David Magee, D.V.M. died at the age of 80 at his home in College Station, TX on Wednesday, June 3, 2015 at 3:18 PM. He was born on July 5, 1934 in New Orleans to Marvin Mangum Magee and Mary Bridges Magee. Derry married Gwendora Wilkes Magee on October 11, 1952 at Mt. Hermon. He graduated Mt. Hermon High School in 1952; received his pre-veterinary education at Louisiana State University and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in 1958. Upon graduation from Texas A&M, Derry opened a veterinary practice in Tangipahoa Parish; first in Amite and later in Kentwood where he practiced for 32 years. In 1990, he joined the Large Animal and Medicine Department in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University serving as a Clinical Associate Professor for 17 years and serving as Staff Veterinarian for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. His life's passion was veterinary medicine having set the goal to become a veterinarian at age 12. His life carried out the scripture found in Proverbs 16:9, " In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." His 59 years as a practicing veterinarian were spent in finding ways to help farmers reach success in their operations and teaching and encouraging students at LSU and TAMU to reach their goals. Derry enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. After retiring in 2007, he began researching and writing his family history and genealogy. He enjoyed reading, fishing, sports, and studying the Bible. Derry served as a deacon and bible teacher at First Baptist Church of Kentwood and First Baptist Church of College Station, TX. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Kentwood. He was a recipient of the American Farmers Degree in FFA, high school valedictorian, Borden's Award at LSU with highest GPA in the School of Agriculture and graduated in veterinary medicine class at Texas A&M with honors. Derry is survived by his wife, Gwendora (Dora), of 62 years; daughter, Juanita Magee Johnson and husband, Steven W. Johnson of Miami, FL; grandchildren, Jennifer Jean Johnson, William Derry "Bill" Johnson and wife, Kellye, and Ross Melvin Johnson; great grandchildren, Mia McKenzie Johnson, William Chase Johnson, and Berkley Tate Johnson. He is survived by his sister, Mary Jane Fabre and husband, Noland Fabre Jr.; nieces, Melody Fabre Howes and Dr. Robin Fabre Ellison and husband, Shad Ellison; nephew, Noland "Jody" Fabre, III and wife, Rebecca; great nephews, John Howes and Joshua Ellison; great nieces, Lauren Ellison and Colleen Fabre. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Marvin Mangum Magee and Mary Bridges Magee and brother, Marvin Mangum Magee, Jr. Visitation at Line Creek Baptist Church, Kentwood, from 10 AM until religious services at 11 AM on Tuesday, June 9, 2015. Interment Line Creek Cemetery, Kentwood. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts in memory of Dr. Magee be directed to the Dr. Derry Magee Scholarship Fund. Checks should be made payable to the Texas A&M Foundation and mailed to the College of Veterinary Medicine, Attn: Dean's Office, 4461 TAMU, College Station, TX77843-4461.McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.