Edwin Royce McGaughey

Funeral services with military honors for Edwin Royce McGaughey, 78, of Lufkin will be held Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Steve Cowart officiating. Cremation will follow the services and is under the direction of Carroway Funeral Home.

Royce was born February 11, 1948 in Lufkin, Texas to the late Bernice (Harvill) and Edwin Loyd McGaughey, and died Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at his residence. He was a lifetime resident of Lufkin. Royce served in the U.S. Air Force from 1967 to 1971 and retired as Maintenance Supervisor after 22 years employment with Temple-Inland. He was a member of Trinity Baptist Church.

Royce was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was “pretty decent” at golf. He really enjoyed his woodworking. He was an amazing cook and a fabulous bingo host.

His siblings adored him, and never tried to strangle him, or so they claim. He was always the best kind of friend to have on your team and would stop what he was doing and come to your rescue, or give you the shirt off his back, especially to his children. He never told them “no”. He worked very hard all his life to provide for the lovely mixed bag of family he built around him. And he was the best kind of father. The kind that teaches, preaches and loves you into adulthood. And he didn’t just father his own kids, but was a substitute “Daddy”, Paw-in-Law, and Papaw, and a great mentor to all in the neighborhood. He loved kids and enjoyed providing advice, guidance and protection to all who needed a little, including the Dixie Youth Baseball teams as a coach and a long-serving umpire in Diboll. Royce was a handy friend with talents and skills that made him the first person many people called in a pinch. And he loved with all his heart. He refused to say an unkind word to or about anyone. He did not see skin color, status, or wealth – only the person inside.

And lately, over the last 23-plus years, he shared his life and his whole family with Martha. Through challenges and obstacles, serving as a loving hospice for Martha’s family members in their last days, and blending all parts of their lives, the respect and love between them became deep and lasting. They shared more adventures in their marriage than most do their entire life, and he was never happier than with his loving wife.

He is in Heaven with the Lord. He will be greatly missed by all.

Survivors include his wife, Martha (Jones) McGaughey of Lufkin; children and spouses, Dean and Melissa McGaughey of Chelmsford, England, Dewayne Reese of Lufkin, Tarah and Bem Bembry of Bridge City, Ashly Scott of Lufkin, Brandon and Inah McGaughey of Diboll, and Angela McGaughey of Lufkin; bonus kids, Chris and Ashli Baldridge; grandchildren, Tyler and Ashley White, Alex Hernandez, Yazmin Hernandez, Brista Mangum, Halle Rice, Romelo Hernandez, Giovanni Hernandez, Andre Royce McGaughey, Ben McGaughey, Jake McGaughey, and Holly McGaughey; great-grandchildren, Eisley Talmadge, Hayden White, Nova Hernandez, Zayden McNeal, Kayzlei Rice, and Turner White; bonus grandkids, Callen Baldridge and Caleb Baldridge; siblings and spouses, Pam and Bill Junge of Huntington, Philip and Glenda McGaughey of Broaddus, and Dale and Laurie McGaughey of Longview; and numerous nieces, nephews, and their children.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jerry McGaughey.

Pallbearers will be Lukey Smith, Melvin Thompson, Chris Runnels, Chris Baldridge, Christian Capetillo, and Bethel Bryant.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon prior to the services.

Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed, at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.