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Neil McGahen Obituary
BOSSIER CITY, LA- Services for Master Sergeant (USAF Ret.) Neil Ronald McGahen, Sr., 75, will be held Saturday July 12, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. at Rose-Neath's Bossier Chapel, 2201 Airline Dr., with Rev. Tom Howe of Christ United Methodist Church officiating. Interment will follow at Rose-Neath Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m.-7p.m. on Friday, July 11 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Bossier City.
Neil (Mr. Mac) was born May 31, 1933 in Waterford, PA, but was a resident of Bossier City for most of his life. He entered into rest on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 after suffering another stroke. He had most recently attended Christ United Methodist Church in Shreveport.
Mr. Mac loved his country with a passion. He was a Strategic Air Command Warrior and a Master Crew Chief on B-47, B-52 and KC-135 aircraft. In addition to Barksdale AFB, he also served at Walker AFB (New Mexico), Castle AFB (California) and Loring AFB (Maine). During the Vietnam conflict, he was stationed in Guam, Okinawa and Thailand and participated in combat missions from these locations. After retirement from the USAF after 26 years, he continued his government service at Barksdale AFB as a Civil Service employee. Upon retiring with 23 more years of Civil Service in 2001, Mr. Mac had accumulated an amazing 49 years of proud service to his country.
Neil was a Master Mason, a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and a longtime member of the El Karubah Shrine in Shreveport. He loved his time in the Shrine Clown Division and Legion of Honor. He was also a member of the Bossier Parish Sheriff's Posse. Mr. Mac enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren (especially during holidays), working in his vegetable garden and yard, small engine repairs, and traveling back to Erie, PA to enjoy the company of his relatives at the annual McGahen family reunion and doing a little hunting. He relished time spent teaching his children & grandchildren to fish on Cross Lake.
Neil was preceded in death by his parents, Dewey N. and Lulu Thelma McGahen and his brother, Robert of Erie, PA.
Survivors include his brother, Dewey Norman McGahen of Saucier, MS; his daughter, Linda M. Baldelli and husband, Doug of Shreveport; his son, Neil Ronald McGahen, Jr. and wife, Angie of Friendswood, TX. His grandchildren are Chris and Scott Baldelli of Shreveport and Christine, Michael, and Keagan of Friendswood, TX. Mr. Mac also leaves behind many cherished family members in the Erie, PA area.
The family also sends deepest appreciation to Dr. A. Balogh, Dr. J. Smith, and Dr. S. Tivakaran, the helpful staff at Garden Court Nursing Center, the entire nursing unit of WK Bossier Hospital, and to Ruby Crawford, for her years of faithful service and friendship to Mr. Mac.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 3100 Samford Ave, Shreveport, LA 71103. Rose-Neath Funeral Home
Bossier Chapel 746-2543
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Neil McGahen
Nancy McGahen-Sunday
July 12, 2008
I'm so sorry to hear of your Dad's death. I know how difficult it is to lose your Father. I'm still missing mine greatly. Hopefully we will see you at the McGahen family reunion and you can meet our newest addition, Talen who is now 4 months old. God Bless
Ray & Myrline Sanders
July 11, 2008
Although I have never met Neil, he and his family appear on my personal ancestral file of genealogy. Neil was my 4th cousin one time removed. So sorry for your loss.
Mary Zapczynski
July 11, 2008
Ron and Linda, it's been years since I've seen either of you. Time really flies. I'm sorry to hear about your dad's death. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Mary Rocks Zapczynski
Susan Shaver
July 11, 2008
To Linda (& Ron) and your families. It's been many years since I was last at your house, and you may not even remember me, but I remember those visits fondly. Please accept my sympathies for the loss of your father. Sincerely, Susan (Smith) Shaver
Carol McGahen
July 11, 2008
Family, I was sorry to see this. Neil was a good friend for years and years at the reunions. My heart and prayers go with you. Know that I keep you all in my thoughts.
A Soldier
July 11, 2008
Thank you Msgt. for your life long dedication to your country.
"Rest easy, sleep well, my brother.
Know the line has held, your job is done.
Rest easy, sleep well.
Others have taken up where you fell,
the line has held. Peace, peace, and farewell..."
Dave Seidl
July 11, 2008
To the family of Neil,
On behalf of the Erie McGahen Family Reunion members, I express my deepest sympathies for the loss of Neil. I never had the chance to meet Neil and that is my loss. He stopped attending the Erie reunions before I began attending them.
From one USAF MSgt and Vietnam veteran to another, I salute you my friend and brother-in-arms.
Dave & Fran Seidl
Reunion President
chris phillips
July 11, 2008
My prayers and deepest sympathy go to the family. May God grant you peace.
For the Commander, Carroll R. Michaud
July 11, 2008
The Final Salute
“Brothers in Arms”, Military men and women down through the centuries, have traditionally exchanged “Hand Salutes” as a sign of recognition and as a way to render courtesy and respect one to another.
This “Hand Salute” is the last that we shall render to Neil Ronald McGahen, Sr. our “Brother-in-Arms”. To his family it symbolizes the love and respect that we have for Neil. And to Neil it is rendered as a symbol of honor and gratitude to thank him for the devoted and selfless service he rendered to his country during the Korean and Vietnam Wars while serving in the U.S. Air Force. Neil, we bid you a sad farewell. You will be dearly missed from among our ranks. Be at Ease. Rest in Peace.
On behalf of the 1,385 members of Lowe-McFarlane Post 14 of the American Legion, I extend our sympathies and our condolences to Neil’s family and loved ones.
Dennis Engdahl, Commander, American Legion Post 14
5315 S. Lakeshore Drive, Shreveport, LA 71109
Scott & Debbie McGahen
July 11, 2008
Uncle Neil you will missed and hope you finally get that great deer in the sky.
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