Bobby F. McGough went to be with his Lord last Thursday morning at an Aspermont hospital.
Bobby McGough was a native of Stonewall County, Texas. He was born in Peacock, Texas, on Nov. 19, 1939, the third son of Jack and Rena Hughes McGough. After graduation from Aspermont High School in 1957, he attended Texas Technological College (now Texas Tech University) and received a bachelor of business administration. In 1975, he received a master of political science degree from Auburn University at Montgomery, Ala., while serving in the USAF.
Bobby served 25 years in the Air Force. He was commissioned a 2d Lt. in 1962. His duty included operational flying assignments as a pilot, instructor pilot and pilot flight examiner. He was the director of operations of the 345th Tactical Airlift Squadron in Yokota, Japan, Ab, Japan, and was commander of the 773rd Tactical Airlift Squadron and served as deputy director of operations, 463rd Tactical Airlift Wing, Dyess AFB, Texas. He also served as director of operations 616th Airlift Group, Elemndorf AFB, Alaska. He served over 24 months in Vietnam, including 11 months in a Special Operations Unit. After completing four years duty as an instructor in Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., he attended Air Command and Staff College. He was a staff officer in Military Airlift Command, Scott AFB, Ill., where he served as Chief of Operations Division of the Office of the Inspector General. His awards include both the Long and Short Overseas Tour Medals, Meritorious Service medal, Air Medal with 9 Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross, Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Legion of Merit. Bobby attained over 7,000 hours of flight time, including 770 hours of combat time, most of those hours in various versions of the C-130. He was honored to be selected to be the pilot for the vice president of the United States, George H. W. Bush, for a trip around West Texas.
Bobby was retired from active duty at the rank of Colonel in 1987 and returned to ranch work in Stonewall County. Bobby was elected as the Stonewall County judge and served in that capacity for 20 years, retiring in 2010. He was active in community and civic affairs. He was a member and past president of the Aspermont Lions Club, a member of the board of directors of the Stonewall County Soil and Water Conservation District and served on the board of directors of the Aspermont Small Business Development Center. He was also a member and past president of the Executive Board of the West Central Texas Council of Governments. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Aspermont. Bobby was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at Texas Tech University, varsity cheerleader and president of the senior class. He loved Red Raider football and rarely missed a game.
Bobby has two children: John, a flight instructor, coach and school teacher, wife Kim, and Jennifer Russell, a veterinarian. His step-children are Amy Russell and husband Rhett, Chris McGarrahan, Scott McGarrahan and wife Lindsay. He has one grandson, Jacob, and 10 step-grandchildren, Emily, Blaeke, Reagan, Brock, Racquel, Blaeze, Rhett Jr., Lucy, Georgia and Minnie. Bobby and his wife Sarah, lived in Aspermont and enjoyed rural life visiting friends and family members and spending time in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to First Baptist Church of Aspermont online condolences at www.mccoyaspermont.com.
