A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held at
Hill and Son Funeral Home in
Appleton City, Missouri on
Saturday, August 25, 2012 at
5:00 p.m.

The MINISTER will be
Pastor Gar Garman

VISITATION will be held at the
funeral home preceding the service on Saturday, August 25, 2012 between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

The family suggests MEMORIAL contributions to the Taberville Fire Department

A MILITARY presentation by the Appleton City VFW Post 11242 is planned during the service.

Tommy Forest McGhee, 73, departed this life Saturday, August 18, 2012 in New Castle Colorado in White River National Forest. Tommy was born on November 24, 1938 in Henley, Missouri. He was one of thirteen children born to Mr. Louie Franklin McGhee, and Mrs. Bertha Helen, (Viesmann), McGhee.

On January 8, 1963 he and Loretta Powell were united in marriage and to this union two children were born, Shawn Allen McGhee and Jason Dean McGhee.

Tommy served four years in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Germany as a specialized sharp shooter and was honorably discharged in 1967. Tommy and Loretta moved to Colorado where he attended a trade school and became a gunsmith. Upon completion, he became employed with Browning Arms in which he gave 25 years of service before retiring in 1999. Tom and Loretta spent most of their married life in Arnold, Missouri raising their family. Tommy moved to Taberville, Missouri in 2004 where he spent the remainder of his life.

All who knew Tommy would agree he was a very kindhearted and loving individual. He possessed a very close and interactive relationship with his two boys, Jason and Shawn. All seven grandchildren played a significant part in his life as well. Each child held a very special, yet unique relationship with him.

Tommy had a vast love for nature. He greatly enjoyed fishing, hunting, and gardening. In recent years he would spend the remainder of his free time attending auctions, which became highly entertaining to him. Above all, he had a true passion and love for the Colorado Rockies. Tommy and his best friend and brother, Frank McGhee, would hike the Rockies twice a year. Tommy planned, and ultimately looked forwarded to this year after year. His most famous quote: "I was born 100 years too late, as I should have been a Mountain Man".

Tommy was preceded in death by his parents, wife Loretta McGhee, five brothers and three sisters. Survivors include: his two sons, Shawn McGhee and wife Melissa of El Dorado Springs, Missouri and Jason McGhee and wife Christa of Appleton City, Missouri; one brother, Frank McGhee and wife Shirley; three sisters, Olga Self, Alvina Holman and Luella Coan; one brother-in-law, Terry Powell and wife Gayla.

He is further survived by seven grandchildren: Samantha McGhee, Taylor McGhee, Dalton McGhee, Madison McGhee, Wyatt McGhee, Victoria McGhee and Zackary McGhee; one great-grandchild, Abigail Wilson; many nieces, nephews, and great friends.