Gary Lynn McShan
August 11, 1964 ~ July 30, 2024
Gary Lynn McShan, a man known for his generous spirit, infectious humor, and boundless sense of adventure, of Elkhart, Texas passed away on Tuesday, the 30th day of July 2024, at the age of 59 following a motorcycle accident in Palestine, Texas. He was born on the 11th day of August 1964, in Nacogdoches, Texas to parents Charles Ray McShan and Sharon Leigh Ferguson.
A proud veteran, Gary dedicated a significant portion of his life to the United States Army, where his bravery and commitment to service were evident in every task he undertook. A man of few words, Gary's actions spoke volumes about his character. In his younger years, he was the life of the party, bringing laughter and energy wherever he went. As time passed, he became more private, yet his love for horses and rodeos remained a constant. Coaching his girls in softball, he imparted lessons of teamwork and perseverance that they would carry with them long after the games had ended.
Gary's frugality was legendary, except when it came to his grandchildren, for whom nothing was too grand. His love for riding his motorcycle was an expression of his adventurous spirit, and the open road was a place of freedom and reflection for him. Despite his reserved nature, Gary was never shy about expressing his pride in his family's accomplishments, often sharing stories and celebrating their successes with anyone who would listen. He was a member of Glad Tidings Assembly of God in Palestine, Texas.
He joined his son Gary Lynn McShan II and grandson Logan McShan in heaven.
Gary's love for his family was unparalleled; he was a loving father to his daughters, Kristen McShan, Destinee Scoggin and her husband Gunnar, and Ashlee Jones. His role as a brother was cherished by Kimberly Stanaland and her husband Jeff, Richard McShan and his wife Tammy, as well as Billy McShan and his wife Julie. He also leaves behind his beloved parents, Charles and Sharon McShan, who will continue to honor his memory by cherishing the time they had with their remarkable son.
Gary's legacy continues through his adoring grandchildren—Kyleigh McShan, Addie Kipp, Jaicee Richbourg, Colt Richbourg, Bexlee Richbourg, Oaklee Scoggin, Sawyer Jones, Kohen Jones, and Emaree Jones—who will carry forward his spirit of love and adventure. His influence also extended to his numerous other relatives and a host of friends who felt his impact deeply.
Friends are invited to a visitation with the family from five o'clock until seven o'clock in the evening on Monday, the 5th day of August 2024 at Rhone Funeral Home.
Funeral services to celebrate Gary's life with military honors will be conducted at ten o'clock in the morning, on Tuesday the 6th day of August 2024 in the Rhone Memorial Chapel with Kevin Lough officiating the service. Interment will follow in Pilgrim Cemetery, Elkhart, Texas.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Shane Willard, Jodi Bowden, Billy McShan, Jeff Stanaland, Richard McShan, Beaver Franklin, and Carl Terry. Honorary pallbearers include Val Mathis and Michael Kerr.
Funeral services for Gary Lynn McShan are in care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas.
We kindly request that you take a moment to express your condolences and share any cherished memories you may have by selecting the "Share a Memory" icon below. Your words of comfort will undoubtedly bring solace to his bereaved family.
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Gary truly loved his girls and grandchildren. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you during this difficult time.
Love to all.
My favorite memories of Gary was when he coached the girls in summer league softball. One year my purse was stolen out of my car, I had just cashed my paycheck. Single mother at the time and completely shattered that someone would do that, there at the softball fields. Gary requested everyone pitch in to help replace what I had had taken from me. Much of it came straight from his own pocket. Now that says everything about the character of Gary McShan. Good man gone too soon.
To the family of Gary, we pray God’s comfort during this overwhelming time of loss.
Gary and I were in the same graduating class of 1982 in Martinsville, Tx. I have very fond memories of Gary. My condolences and prayers are with the McShan family.
I’ve only known Gary a little over 2 years now when I become neighbors with him. I had the opportunity of having some great conversations with him whether it be at the road, at the fence or by phone conversations. I got to know him well and always enjoyed talking to him. I’m going to miss speaking to him or just seeing him at his barn working with the horses. We will have a lot to catch up on when we meet again.
Rest in heaven brother.
I got the pleasure meeting Gary little over 2 years ago as I become neighbors with him. Always enjoyed speaking to him whether it be at road, by the fence or by phone. I’m going to miss our conversations or just seeing him at the barn working with his beloved horses. Until we meet again..
Rest in heaven brother.
My fondest memory of Gary, come from the softball fields. My granddaughter played softball with his daughter. He was a wonderful person, I don’t think he ever showed anything but compassion for the girls,his friends and family. He will greatly be missed. Rest in peace, Gary
I’ve known Gary since I was a little girl. He was my momma and papa’s coworker at the post office, along with his dad. He was always so kind and funny. Mom and I were just talking about him the other day. My heart and prayers go out to his parents, wife, kids and grandkids. See you later Gary we love you. Tell Papa I said hey.
I knew Gary for many, many years, as our kids grew up together. From seeing him on the ball field or driving up and down his road at home. He always had a smile and something to say. Praying for your sweet family during this time. May you rest in peace.
While I hadn’t seen Gary since 1984 or so when we worked together building a house, I certainly remember the “life of the party” phase @ Martinsville HS. I kinda always kept up with him through our mutual friends. Good Man that certainly left way too soon. My sincerest condolences to ALL the family. God Speed Gary
I am so sorry for the McShan family’s loss! I know you all loved him very much and you will miss him always! We send our love your way and we will continue to lift you guys up in prayer!!
My favorite memory of Gary: I have two hot water heaters, and the one on the end of my house that I don’t really use, had gone out. So I had a handwritten sign in the bathroom not to turn on the hot water. He had used that bathroom several times and one day he come over with a hot water heater and installed it. I said, “that’s so nice but you didn’t have to do thatâ€. He said “yes I did, I hated looking at that sign!â€, as he proudly crumpled it up and threw it in the trash. He could be incredibly sweet and kind and generous. He was 💯 authentic and unapologetically himself, which was one of my favorite things about him. He was so passionate about the Dallas Cowboys and we would commiserate about how lousy Dak was playing or how he still didn’t like Jerry Jones because he had fired Tom Landry. He loved talking about his kids and grandkids and was so incredibly proud of them. He don’t show his emotions often but he felt things very strongly. The only time I I saw him tear up was when he was talking about Gary Lynn and Logan and how he looked forward to the day he would see them again. I know it must have been a wonderful reunion. I’ll miss you Gary, until we meet again.
There were times when I would text Gary because I was missing Gary Lynn and he would always immediately reply back to help me through it. He took me horseback riding once during one of those times. We didn’t talk much on the ride, we didn’t need to. He just knew I needed it. That’s the thing, we all could count on Gary when we needed him and he’d be there. He touched our lives in his own way and will be missed by everyone.
There are so many amazing memories I had with my Paw. All of the times we went fishing, feeding the horses, and just sitting on the couch talking. Every time we would go out and feed the horses we would always collect some corn out of it. He would go to the edge of the round pen, use a stick to poke holes in the ground, and let me plant the corn even though he knew it would never grow. Every Saturday I was there he would take me to the Sale Barn there in Elkhart. I can’t remember I single time we had ever bought anything, but we always stopped and ate a hamburger and French fries. I think the funniest thing about my Paw is that he didn’t pay for a trash company. He would haul up his trash in the bed of his truck and dump it in my dad’s old apartment complex garbage bins, because technically there was a Gary McShan that used to live there. We made so many cookies, just plain Pilsbury sugar cookies, but with LOADS of sprinkles. I’ll never forget how much he loved me. Man he loved his grandchildren, I am beyond blessed to have been able to call him my Paw. I love you so much and I can’t wait to see you again.
I feel like I don’t have the right words to express the heartbreak and sorrow I have for all of his family and friends. I have so many fond memories of Gary when I worked for him at the Crockett Post Office and loved to tease him about his bald spot because that was the only ammunition I could come up with because he did everything right! I did like to tease him though that I needed to go to his office and borrow his hairspray all the time! He was such an outstanding man. About 2 years after the incident with his son and grandson I had a son of my own and I felt compelled to go in his office and ask him how he got through each day with such great loss as I couldn’t imagine the loss of a child or grandchild. He told me then .. “I had a choice to follow God or another choice that wasn’t a good one and I chose to follow God.” I knew then that he would spend his eternity in Heaven surrounded by his loved ones and I was very humbled and touched. I would not be where I am today if I didn’t have Gary in my corner. He will be missed every single day and I will always be thankful that God put him in my path on this earth. Rest in Heaven Gary McShan and I hope you know how much you meant to me…Tina Marie 💔
Thanks be to God for Gary and all the blessings and grace bestowed on us through him.
Our thoughts and prayers for all the Family.
We love You!
God bless You!
Ed and Rae Gurka
Gary was a hard worker. He would take on any task without question. He often stated that I (Joe Harris) taught him the ins and outs of delivery in the Postal Service. My wife (Cassandra) and I both had the privilege of working with him. We would like to offer our sincere condolences to the family. Our prayers are with you. May God strengthen you!!! Joe and Cassandra Harris
Ashlee we are so very sorry for your loss! May you find comfort in knowing your dad is home with our Heavenly Father!
Love,
Reggie and Tanya Panquerne