Hugh McPhail

Hugh McPhail was reunited with the love of his life Martha Sue Gassaway McPhail Tuesday, September 28, 2010 at 700 pm. He died following a bout with pneumonia and congestive heart failure. His three children were at his side, as he had been by theirs when they needed a hand, an ear, a friend, a laugh, or simple life advice. His wit and humor brought him many lifelong friends that will miss him, or welcome him to Heaven. Being a "greeter" at Marvin Methodist church and later at Memorial Drive Methodist Church made him a consistent part of their services. His genuine smile and greeting made everyone, friend or stranger, feel welcome at the church. He was born in Grand Saline, Texas November 25, 1917 and moved to Tyler after high school where he became a sportswriter for the Tyler Paper. It sounds like a movie, but what could be more romantic that a Sports editor and the Society editor falling for each other? But that is what happened, and soon Hugh and Martha Sue began a family. Later he went into business for himself and owned McPhail’s Garden Center for many years. When he retired from the nursery business, he always looked for ways to help his friends and others by driving them to the store, mowing their lawns, or anything he could do. He treated everyone with the same dignity, no matter what their background or status. He is survived by his son Jim and his wife, Janie of Houston; son Clay of Austin, daughter Megg and her husband Bruce Campbell of Houston; Brothers Joe and his wife Norma of Houston, and Larry and his wife Judy of Austin; grandsons Tyler McPhail and Douglas Campbell; granddaughters Brook McPhail Johnson, Jordan, Ashley, and Taylor McPhail, and Heather Campbell. He will be dearly missed by these and many other relatives and friends. Pallbearers will be Bill Ross, Dr. Dwayne Andrews, Dr. Patrick Thomas, Dr. David Nichols, Web Harvey, Calvin Clyde, Lamar Johnson, Bob Hahn, Kenny Graham, and Jim Echols. A celebration of Dad’s life will be held Monday, October 4th at 3 pm at Marvin United Methodist Church 300 W. Erwin Tyler Texas. Memorials can be made to the Marvin Church or The American Red Cross at www.redcross.org. The family would like to thank all of the many people who loved him and laughed with him and drank coffee with him at the nursery and at church for so many years. The world lost some of its humbleness, honor, honesty, and humor when our “Hughby" left us to receive his well earned reward in God’s Eternal Kingdom.

Hugh McPhail

November 25, 1917 - September 28, 2010