John Robert McPhail, Jr.
August 28, 1937 — July 19, 2014
TUSCOLA: John R. McPhail, Jr., 76, passed away Saturday, July 19, 2014 at Hendrick Hospice. Funeral services will be held 11:00am on Tuesday, July 22, 2014 at First Baptist Church of Buffalo Gap with burial to follow in the Buffalo Gap Cemetery, officiated by Stephen Joiner and Burtis Williams, directed by Fry~Bartlett Funeral Home, Tuscola. A visitation will be held from 5 to 7pm on Monday, July 21, at the funeral home.
John was born in Grapeland to John Robert (Buck) and Annie Rainey (Skidmore) McPhail on August 28, 1937. He graduated school in Grapeland and then met and married Audry Lee Morgan on May 28, 1960. They moved from Grapeland to Houston, and then in June of 1973, he and Audry moved to Tuscola where he opened a full service Gulf gas station. He ran the Gulf station on the corner of Garza and Graham for 28 years fixing flats, pumping gas, and light mechanic work. John was known to help anyone who was in need.
He and Audry raised their family in the Jim Ned Valley area and in March 2001, John retired so he and Audry could travel, pulling their fifth wheel and bass boat. During retirement, John and Audry were able to travel the western United States.
When John was not fixing flats or pumping gas, he was an avid fisherman. He was a member of several bass clubs that included the Jim Ned Bass Club and the Big Country Bass Club. When not fishing, he enjoyed golf, pool, hunting, and grandchildren.
John is survived by his wife of 54 years, Audry of Tuscola; son John Robert (Bucky) McPhail, III.; daughters, Sonya McPhail Payne and husband Larry of Tuscola, Pamela McPhail Schwartz of Tuscola; brother, Melvin McPhail and wife Mindy of Wylie; sisters, Jane Hengst of Conroe, Linda Evans of Hunting, Dorothy Andrews of Lake Jackson; he is survived by four grandchildren, Marissa Gonzalez, Robert Allmand, Matthew Schwartz, and Stephanie Ruscher; and six great grandchildren, Jaybrea, Jordan, Colten, Brennan, Blayne, Sophie.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister Bonnie Allen.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the youth department at First Baptist Church of Buffalo Gap, 1002 Litel, Buffalo Gap, TX 79508.