Joe Lee McMahon

Joe Lee McMahon, 96, of Stephenville, Texas, died Thursday, March 17, 2022, surrounded by his family and friends. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 19, 2022 at 2:00 pm at Stephenville Funeral Home. Interment will follow at the West End Cemetery in Stephenville. The family will receive friends Saturday at 1:00 pm just prior to the funeral service.

Joe Lee was born on October 7, 1925 in Medina, Texas to Bill D and Vada Moffitt McMahon. He was the oldest son in a family of five children. Joe Lee grew up farming with his family and lived the life of a cowboy. Due to the depression, the family had to move to Barstow, Texas, where Joe Lee attended high school and graduated at the age of sixteen.

Joe Lee and Von Delle Madison were married on March 29, 1943 in Reeves County. The ceremony took place in Von’s best friend’s hospital room. Soon after the wedding, Joe Lee was inducted into the United States Army and served honorably in World War II in the Asia Pacific Campaign.

Joe Lee fought in the battle of Luzon Philippines, the second largest battle of the Pacific, surpassed, only by Okinawa. Joe Lee reached the rank of Master Sergeant in Company H 169th Infantry. He received the Asia Pacific Campaign Ribbon, the Bronze Star, Philippines Liberation Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit-Badge, Army Occupation Medal, Japan Victory Ribbon, and two Overseas Service Bars.

After the war, Joe Lee and Von remained in Barstow Texas for a few years until he went to work for Western Cotton Oil. After moving across Texas and New Mexico, they returned to the Pecos area where Joe Lee resumed his love of farming and eventually started a cattle feed lot in Verhalen. After raising their family in west Texas, Joe Lee and Von moved to the Stephenville area in 1981. Joe Lee worked his entire life and was still entering information for his dairy clients the week he died. Enviro-Ag and his dairy clients were Joe Lee’s second family. Many people supported Joe Lee’s work and his mind was sharp until the end.

His rich and full life will live on through his close friends and family. He will be greatly missed but we know we will see him again.

Joe Lee is preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Von Delle, son Joey McMahon, sister Mae Holmes, and his parents Bill D and Vada McMahon.

Survivors include daughter, Linda Partain, and husband Richard McClesky, of Stephenville; grandchildren, Monte McMahon, and wife Lorie, of Coleman, Miste Bryant, and husband Dewayne, of Murfreesboro TN, Greg Lundgren, and wife Stacey, of Greenwood, and Cydni Morton, and husband David, of Stephenville; great-grandchildren, Zane, Nathan, and Daniel McMahon, Madison Kephart, and husband Quade, of Midland, Brooks Lundgren, and Jayci, Brady, and Case Morton; great-great grandson Carson Kephart; sisters Bernice Dean of Siloam Springs, AR, Patty Birkes, and husband Bill, of Ingram; brother Billy McMahon of Huntsville; and numerous nieces and nephews.

2 Timothy 1:12b – For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joe Lee McMahon, please visit our floral store.