J.C. Maughan

John Clifford Maughan, Jr.  (J.C., Jay)

March 7, 1929 - November 4, 2021

J.C., age 92, went to be with the Lord, Thursday, November 4, 2021 in Denton, TX.

J.C. was born March 7, 1929 in Gainesville, TX to John Clifford Sr. and Buelah Mae (Banks) Maughan.  J.C. attended Era Public School and started working as a teenager hauling hay and worked with the wheat harvest in Kansas.  He worked on the railroad, and was a self-taught master welder.  As a matter of fact, one of his favorite sayings was, “If I can’t build it, I don’t need it”.

J.C. married Loretta Shinn from New Deal, TX on January 3, 1951.  They made their home in New Deal, where J.C. served as a Deacon in the First Baptist Church, and they raised three children during 35 years of marriage.  Before the kids came along, J.C. served honorably in the U.S. Army, stationed in Alaska from 1951-1953.  Upon returning from the Army, J.C. worked for Pioneer Natural Gas Company, now Atmos Energy of Lubbock, TX, where he advanced through the ranks to become the district superintendent.  He retired in 1992 after 37 years.

Not long after retiring, J.C. returned to live in Prairie Point, TX in a home which he built in the side of the hill overlooking the lake.  It wasn’t long until he met and fell in love with Linda Phillips Cox and they were married December 31, 1992.

J.C. enjoyed playing the fiddle and making his own fiddles.  He played with the Texoma Express Band for senior citizens for 13 years.  He also played with his friend Don Wade and others at nursing homes, church, and various fundraisers.  At home, he enjoyed and stayed busy with his garden, his tractor, his cows, and helping his nephew Harold Maughan when needed for various dirt moving jobs.  He and Linda also loved country music, traveling, playing cards and visiting with close friends and family.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Harold and G.A. (Fat) Maughan, sisters Martha Ann Thompson and Lenora Mueller, nephew Johnny Mueller, and step-son Jamie Cox.

He is survived by his wife Linda of Prairie Point, 3 daughters, Elaine Olive and husband Larry of Lubbock, TX, Brenda Criswell and husband Terry of Sugar Land, TX, and Danene Dirickson of Prairie Point, 1 son, Larry Jay Maughan and wife Stephanie of Lubbock, TX; 2 nieces, Patsy Bell, Carol Ann Fleitman, and sister-in-law Pat Maughan.  Survivors also include 7 grandchildren, Laura Sanders, Andy Olive, Monty Criswell, Dana Criswell, Sheen Maughan, Rachel Maughan, and Daniel Dirickson, 2 “adopted” grandchildren, Nina Maughan and Paige Kurosky, and a host of friends.

The family will receive friends from 9:30 to 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, November 6, 2021, at Forestburg Baptist Church.  A funeral service will begin at 11:00 A.M. with Pastors Sam Campbell and Tim Neeley officiating.  Interment will follow at Rosston Cemetery.  Arrangements are under the care of Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Reba's Ranch House in Denison, TX.