Harold Maxie McLemore

He passed away at The Watkins-Logan Texas State Veterans Home in Tyler, Texas. Harold was born in Lufkin, Texas on March 9, 1948 to Rufus Maxie and Clovis (Hogan) McLemore.

He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Mary Anne (Roper) McLemore, his sister Charlotte (Gene) Peters, daughter Melanie Odell, sons David Maxie and Randall McLemore, and daughter Candice (Adam) Boak, stepchildren Catherine (David) Barth, Timothy (Tanya) Roper, and Michael (Christelle) Roper, eleven grandchildren, seven step grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents Rufus and Clovis McLemore.

Mac or Mackie as he was lovingly called by his cousins and friends, graduated from Hemphill High School in 1968. While he was in school he participated in sports which led later in life to coaching his children’s ball teams and sharing his expertise in bowling with family and friends.

Harold joined the Navy in 1968 and served on destroyer escorts during Viet Nam War until he was honorably discharged in 1972. He cherished the many friendships he made while serving in the military and participated in USS Gray Reunions as often as possible reminiscing with his former shipmates.

Harold held a variety of jobs after the service but the career he excelled in was as one of the Supervisors at The Juvenile Detention Center in Victoria County Texas. He enjoyed this so much that he returned to school in the 1990s to earn his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Houston in Victoria, TX. He went the extra mile to spend free time with the young men teaching woodcrafts earning respect from many of the inmates.

Harold loved his family and enjoyed the time spent with the grandkids and adults alike. He will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved him.

The family would like to thank The Watkins- Logan Texas State Veterans Home in Tyler and Heart to Heart Hospice of Tyler for Harold’s care.

Graveside services with military honors and interment will take place at the Hemphilll City Cemetery on May 3, 2025 at 11:00 AM under the direction of Starr Funeral Home. The family will receive guests at a reception following the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the American Parkinson Disease Association or to Heart to Heart Hospice of Tyler, 7925 South Broadway Ave. Suite 1140, Tyler, TX 75703 or to a charity of your choice.