07/03/2024
Devol lost a great man this week.
Cowboy McGill was one of a kind
He has not only made an impact in his family but anyone that ever met him. The legacy and the impact that he leaves behind within his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids is something we all strive for in our everyday lives.
I was privileged to grow up and have Cowboy as a major part of my life. He taught us the “only thing a plumber needs to know” which is “Stuff runs downhill!” And if you can figure that out you can be a plumber ! I’m sure there was more to plumbing than that but that’s what stuck with me the most.
He taught us all so much more than that though. He started his own “Devol scout group” and had us kids up there once or twice a month teaching us about the outdoors and camping and cooking. We learned how to build fires, cook on open fire and a ton more.
He took care of the Devol cemetery for years, member of the Devol vol fire dept and worked for the city of Devol with water dept. Among the numerous other things he did and accomplished in his extraordinary life.
He loved the lake. And he loved to get to teach someone to ski. Now, he wasn’t the most patient teacher nor used the kindest words of encouragement but by golly you’d learn to ski or he’d drown you trying.. lol!
But most of all he loved his family. No telling how many miles he drove to take his kids to events and then even more miles to go watch his grandkids and great-grandkids at their events. And when he and Joan didn’t have any kids they came to watch all of us play that weren’t blood but were still family.
Cowboy leaves a huge gap in Devol that I believe can’t be filled. He will be missed by his family and all of us who knew him. I know he’s up in heaven trying to boss Joan around now, and she’s just smiling and nodding her head knowing he’s wrong and she’s right!
Family visitation is July 3rd Wednesday 6-8pm at Hart-Wyatt funeral home in Walters and graveside services July 5th at 9am.