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Mabry E. McMahan
07/28/1921 — 10/29/2007
From Kennewick, WA, US | Born in White Flat, Texas
Mabry E. McMahan
Mabry E. McMahan, 86, long time Tri-Cities resident, passed away Monday, October 29, 2007. Born July 28, 1921 in Whiteflat, Texas to Rosco & Ollie McMahan, Mabry was one of four children including younger brother Bob who lives in LaPorte City, Iowa, older brother J.C. who was killed in action at Normandy during WWII and younger sister Mary Joyce who passed away in 1973.
Growing up in Texas, he attended high school in Matador, Texas were he graduated in 1939. He then joined the United States Army Air Corp were he served from 1941-1946. During his tour, he spent time in Agra, India. Upon returning from WWII, Mabry worked for Phillips Petroleum and then enrolled in Texas Tech University were he graduated as a Mechanical Engineer in 1956. He remained a lifelong Red Raider fan.
He met the love of his life Bennie Mae Wade and they were married on May 3, 1946. Together they had 61 years of marriage, resulting in two children; son Michael who was killed in 1975 and daughter Janna.
Upon graduation from college, Mabry and Bennie moved to the Tri Cities were he worked for General Electric and then Westinghouse. He retired September 30, 1986.
Mabry is survived by his loving wife Bennie Kennewick, daughter Janna West Richland, brother Bob McMahan, nieces Donna Brinkley Liberal, Kansas and Donna Steffen LaPorte City, IA, friend Allison Campbell Kennewick and grand dogs Rookie, Sage, Bailey, Max and Gage that he adored.
Mabry was known by family and friends as a gentle and caring. He enjoyed looking for antiques with Bennie and working around the yard. He and Bennie were active in their church and had many friends from the various church clubs. Mabry was also very active with Janna and Mike in 4H and FFA where the family raised and showed cattle.
Mabry will be missed by his family and many friends.
Memorial services will be Saturday, November 3rd at 1:30 the Kennewick First United Methodist Church, 421 W. Kennewick, Ave. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Neurological Resource Center, 712 Swift Blvd. Richland or to the Memorial Fund at Kennewick First United Methodist Church
Our Dear Bennie and Family, we thank you for sharing Mac’s life with us, at work, church and just anytime, anywhere! Don really enjoyed Mac at work — how good he was at getting things done and many times helping us other engineers figure out a way of doing it! He was a gentleman and a good model of how christian men should be. We lived thru some of your difficult times — at least were aware of them so we could keep you guys in our extra prayer. Mac seemed to always be with Bennie in church activities and other things they did.
Mac was very well respected by his fellow workers and those he supervised. He was fun to watch play lunch hour bridge with Boyd, Johnson, Olson, McCormack, Whiting, Salansky, Campbell, Atwood, Whiting, DeShane, and others. Mac always did a good job sharing the crafts,cranes, machinists and parts ordering among the Radiomet operations people.
When I visited, we had tea and cookies and I appreciated that he was able to come out and look at our Model A, but too windy and cold to go for ride in it. WE had hoped to take Bennie&Mac for a Sunday afternoon ride with stop for ice cream treats! Mac and I especially had laughs when repairing Lorraine Doyle’s hanging lamp — Don had tried with 2 hands, then with Mac’s help we did it with 4 but really could have used 6!. Of course, our two families always enjoyed talking antiques and collectibles, and how to get rid of them!
Bennie, you, Jana and rest of family are kept in our prayers thru this difficult time. Don will probably see Bennie at Hawthorne Court when taking church service tapes to Enid, Lucy and others there. Remember we’d like to help you in ways we can and you want us to.
Our Love, Hugs and Prayers, Don and Marti
It was truly my pleasure to have known Mabry for the past decade. I wish I had known him longer. His gentle manner will always be remembered as the perfect example of how we should all interact with one another. Thank You Mabry!
The best Manager and Boss I ever had. I first met him when I went to work in the 327 Bldg for General Electric in the late 1950’s. I had no college learning at the time. I soon started courses at Columbia basin College and when I showed that I was serious, he helped set up a special work shift so that I could attend school during the day. With his doing that for me, I was able to complete my college education. I am so thankful to him. It didn’t stop there, we continued to be close friends throughout his life. After my retirement from the labatory in 1993, I went into Real Estate. When I would hold “open houses” in the area where he lived, he would always stop by and visit. On a very personal note, he was so kind to me throughout our relationship. Thank you Boss for allowing me to grow and be part of your life.
CJ MitchMitchell
Guestbook for
Mabry E. McMahan