Darrell F. McMahon

1931 - 2024

Darrell F. McMahon

January 25, 1931 – January 30, 2024

Darrell F. McMahon, 93 years of age, of Beatrice, NE passed away at Beatrice Health and Rehab January 30, 2024. He was born on January 25, 1931 in Marysville, KS to Everett F. and Petricia Ann (Koch) McMahon. He attended St. Gregory Catholic Elementary and graduated from Marysville High School in 1948. He was associated with his father's produce business for a few years before moving to Omaha in 1953 where he began his career with BF Goodrich Co. Darrell and his wife Marilyn L. Cobb were married on August 28, 1954 in Marysville, KS. They would have celebrated their 70th Anniversary this year. He served in the United States Army National Guard from 1948-1957 in Marysville, Omaha, and Des Moines.

Darrell worked for a short time in Des Moines prior to transferring to Topeka, KS as District Manager and Sales Representative. While in Topeka, he completed Dale Carnegie Sales and Business courses followed by an assistant in three class sessions. His daughter Kay was born March 29, 1961.

At the request of Wilbur Oldfather, he was assigned through BF Goodrich to serve Oldfather OK Tire dealerships exclusively in several surrounding states. With this assignment, he and his family moved to Beatrice in 1961. After 9 years with BF Goodrich, he went into business as a member of management with Oldfather OK in 1962, serving as Vice President of Retail/Wholesale, board of directors and a stockholder. From 1986-1992 he held the position as President of Oldfather Tire Co. The company was sold to TO Haas and Darrell maintained the office in Beatrice, then to Lincoln as Vice President of Sales, serving on the board of directors until 1996 full time and continued part time until he retired in 2001.

Darrell was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church since 1961 and served as an usher many years and volunteered on fund drives. He was a member of the Beatrice Jaycees from 1962-1967, holding chairmanships and Vice President; Junior High Parent Council chairman and Senior High Parent Council 1974-1979; member of Sertoma Club 1969-1981 fulfilling projects as putting up flags, All Sports Banquet, concessions at the car races, but needed to resign due to his obligation of volunteering to manage the Beatrice Elks Club. He served on the Beatrice Country Club board two sessions 1971-1972, was President in 1973-1974, then again served as President 1998-2001. Darrell also did volunteer maintenance work on the golf course.

Darrell served as United Way drive chairman two consecutive years, 1975 and 1976, which involved holding with assistance a city/county wide auction and consignment sale. He was pleased the drives collected the largest amounts in pledges over previous years. He served on the United Way board as Vice President and President in 1977 and continued as captain in various areas through 1981. He was an active member on the Retail Council through the Beatrice Chamber of Commerce putting on sales meetings for employees of other businesses. He served as Co-Chair for 4 years on Chamber of Commerce Go-fers Club (go for more members) and received Go-fer of the Year Award in 1974. This later changed to the Ambassador Club in 1976 which holds motivational meetings promoting a positive attitude in Beatrice. In 2008 Darrell was awarded the Star Ambassador while serving many years. Darrell and Marilyn received the Goodwill Ambassador award in 1982. Darrell was recipient of the Distinguished Service Award at the Chamber banquet in 1977 and continues his membership in the Chamber of Commerce.

Darrell was a participant on the Community Center steering committee which failed at a special election in 1977. He was a charter member on Beatrice Clean City board for 2 terms and received recognition from Keep Beatrice Beautiful. In early 1978 he was chairman of the membership drive for the new Elks Club promoting it by open house invitations to visit/view the facility. He was elected to serve on YMCA board of directors in 1978 and held offices of treasurer and Vice President until 1981. He was a volunteer on the "In Family Group" promoting the new YMCA building fund and worked on the Capital Campaign in 1978 and was very proud he helped to accomplish a much-needed facility. In 1983 he formed and organized with Marlene Snyder YMCA Foundation and served as a board member 1983-1991, Vice President in 1987 and worked diligently to raise funds to retire the debt on the YMCA. Also, he helped form the Heritage Club to support the YMCA Foundation and held annual foundation banquets to raise funds 1984-1993.

Darrell worked on the campaign for Southeast Community College Foundation to raise scholarship funds in 1981. In 1979 Darrell was instrumental in forming and organizing a volunteer committee to manage the Elks Club to keep the doors open, serving 1979-1983 and was proud the club became debt free. He was recipient of Elk of the Year award in April 1980, and again in 1995, he volunteered to manage the Oaks Club.

Darrell has been a member of Community Players First Nighters since its' inception, Gage County Foundation, Gage County Historical Society, Beatrice Community Hospital Foundation Centurian, Habitat for Humanity contributor, Hevelone Center contributor, YMCA Capital Campaign contributor, and past Elks Club and Beatrice Country Club member.

One of Darrells' highlights was the opportunity to play golf at the Old St. Andrew Golf Course in Edinburgh, Scotland. He and his wife enjoyed their foreign travels, but it is quite clear Darrells' hobbies were serving the community, golfing, Husker football and having a well-groomed lawn.

Darrell is survived by his wife, Marilyn; daughter, Kay (Frank) Legg, Beatrice; step-grandchildren, Benji (Jamie) Legg, Beatrice, Lindsey (Anden) Bruns, Roca, NE and Shauna (Kyle) Vanover, Beatrice; great grandchildren, SSG Ryan (Emily) Legg, Fort Campbell, KY, Cloe Legg, Garrett Legg, Bella Legg, Beatrice, Kaden Kier, Jace Bruns, Roca, NE and Gavin Vanover, Preslee Vanover, Beatrice; great-great grandchild Ellie Legg, Fort Campbell, KY. He was preceded in death by his parents, Everett F. (Petricia Koch) McMahon; brother, Robert (Wanda) McMahon; and nephews, Robert Jr. and Mark McMahon.

Darrells' Celebration of Life Mass will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, February 24, 2024 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Beatrice. His service will also be Livestreamed on his memory page at www.ghchapel.com. Inurnment (following a reception at the church) will be at the Evergreen Home Cemetery in Beatrice. There will be no viewing or visitation as cremation has taken place. In Lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Beatrice YMCA and the Community Players with the funeral home in charge. We encourage those who knew Darrell to leave memories and upload photos or view the service recording and his video tribute on his memorial page at www.ghchapel.com, a space dedicated to celebrating Darrells' life and legacy.

These services are entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.