Bobby Joe McGehee Sr., 86, passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2024 at Cedarhurst Assisted Living in Lawrence.

He was born November 25, 1937 in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Melvin and Doris McGehee.

Bobby was a truck driver for different freight companies for twenty-eight years.  He then had the contract for lawn and maintenance for Mission Hills for twenty-seven years.  After retiring from that he worked for All Pro Temp Services until he was 82.

He was a very active member of Elks Lodge No. 26 in Kansas City, and he was a member of the Shriner's and the Scottish Rite.

He married Denette Holthaus on September 30, 1980.  She preceded him in death this year on May 24th.

Bobby was also preceded in death by his parents, three daughters, Vivian Wing, Rosa Schwab and Geneva Lynn McGehee, four sons, Bobby Joe McGehee, Jr., Richard Sparrow, and twins, Melvin Wayne and Marvin Payne McGehee, a granddaughter, Tanya Verge, and several siblings.

Survivors include a daughter, Robin McGehee, Lawrence, two sons, William McGehee, Missouri City, MO and Nelson Sparrow, in Arkansas, sixteen grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren and various in-laws.

Funeral services will be Saturday, October 12th at 11:00 a.m. at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Holton.  Visitation will be from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday.  Burial will follow the service in the Holton Cemetery.  Bobby will lie in state after 9:00 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home.  Memorials are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, and may be sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box 1034, Holton, KS  66436.