Rites held for David McMahan

David Lee McMahan passed on Tuesday, November 23, 2021, attended by his wife, Patricia. He was reunited with his Lord and Savior, beloved parents, and sister.

He leaves behind his wife, Patricia J. (Davis) McMahan; their son, Michael D. McMahan, and his spouse, Richelle (Mitchem) McMahan; his grandchildren, Micah L. McMahan and Christopher D. McMahan; brothers Orvis McMahan and wife Pat, Jim McMahan and wife Jo; sister Sue McMahan; brother-in-law Bill Davis and wife Marilyn; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends

David was born March 16, 1946, in Oklahoma City, to Murrel McMahan and Opal (Ritter) McMahan. As his family moved, David attended school in various locations, including Newcastle and Bridge Creek, ultimately graduating from Luther High School in 1964.

In 1964, he began attending Oklahoma State University, working toward a degree in Animal Science. At that time, his older brother Orvis was the FSA director for Hughes County. In 1965, Orvis suggested David look up a young woman from Atwood named Patricia Davis, who had started attending OSU. David and Patricia were married on August 26, 1967, in the First Baptist Church in Atwood.

In 1969, David entered the National Guard and served in A Battery, 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery, 45 ^th Division, based out of Pauls Valley, for seven years. Following graduation from OSU (also in 1969), David worked as a salesman for Wilson & Company, then Rath Packing Company, traveling primarily west Texas and New Mexico. He ultimately found himself in a management position with McDonald’s and retired in 2001 after 26 years.

In 1995, following the death of Patricia’s uncle, Glenn Edwards, and her father, Dwayne Davis, David started a small cattle herd with some of their animals. After retiring from McDonald’s, he expanded his cattle operation into his next career, which he enjoyed tremendously until his forced retirement in 2019 due to aggressive acute myeloid leukemia.

Against all expectations, David responded well to chemotherapy treatments and was ultimately declared to be in remission in early 2021. However, signs of trouble reappeared in early October, and testing confirmed that the cancer had returned. Although he was determined to continue the fight, a relentless form of pneumonia overwhelmed his system, and he ultimately succumbed to medical complications. His final words were expressions of love for his family, and his grandchildren in particular.

David was a longtime active member of the First Baptist Church in Atwood, where he served as a Deacon and Sunday School teacher.

David was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Martyne (McMahan) Noland.

Funeral services were held at the Hudson-Phillips Funeral Home Chapel at 10:30 AM, Monday, November 29 ^th , with Rev. Darrell Brown, pastor of the Atwood Baptist Church, officiating. Burial was in the Atwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church, Atwood, Oklahoma.

Services are under the direction of Hudson-Phillips Funeral Home, Holdenville, Oklahoma.