Clifton Estell McGee, Jr. went home to our Lord on October, 14, 2018. He was born on June 30, 1967 in Houston, TX to beautiful loving parents and a big sister that insisted on having a baby brother. He married his love and best friend, Molly Tarkington, in 1992 and had 26 years of laughter, love and unwavering devotion. Together they were determined to overcome any challenge and enjoy life to its fullest. Cliff is preceded in death by his father Clifton McGee, Sr., and sister Catherine Neben. He is survived by his wife Molly, mother Annetta McGee, niece Susanna Neben and her husband Ted Neben, brother-in-law Michael Neben as well as many cherished family, friends and co-workers.
Cliff was the 1972 poster child for the Harris County Chapter of the National Cystic Fibrosis Research Foundation. He spent his life quietly but courageously fighting the grueling and relentless disease with grace and resilience even when he was diagnosed with leukemia earlier this year. This was just another obstacle to overcome. He graduated Sharpstown HS in 1985 and was an endowed academic scholar at Houston Baptist University earning a BS with honors in 1989. He then attended UTMB in Galveston. After finishing his residency for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in 1998, he and Molly moved to Kauai, Hawaii where he was the Medical Director of the Kauai Family Guidance Center and an Assistant Professor at University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. They then returned to Houston where he joined MHMRA/The Harris Center in 2002. He was honored with the HBU Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2002 and said that it was “a privilege to administer to people and be their doctor and that is something I would never want to take for granted.” A deeply devout Christian, he used his faith to guide his life and how he could inspire others with kindness, integrity and honesty. His determination, empathy and compassion was admired by families, co-workers and even the medical professionals that cared for him when he was at his sickest. Cliff could always come up with a joke in the bleakest of situations. It gave him great joy to see families that he cared for succeed in their life and overcome tremendous obstacles. He always tried to live as a “good Christian example.”
Not only was Cliff a compassionate and talented doctor, he was a great storyteller and a master of one liners. He loved to laugh and could almost always make others laugh no matter what the situation. Spending time with family and friends playing board games or video games, listening to music and quoting movie lines at the most opportune moments were a big part of his life. But he especially loved just quietly watching sunsets with his wife and dogs. His big bright smile and laugh, amazing intellect and keen sense of humor will be sorely missed. Cliff was a blessing and beautiful example of kindness, strength and humility. He fought the good fight, he finished the course, he kept the faith.
Cliff and Molly would like to thank Dr. Tara Barto and the BCM CF Clinic for the remarkable compassion and care through this journey. They would also like to thank Dr. Jasleen Randhawa of HMH Cancer Center and Dr. Ashley Drews for their devoted care and determination to fight as hard as he fought. Thank you also to the many other doctors who offered so much talent and support. He tried really hard to cover every specialty. Finally, thank you to the entire staff of HMH Fondren 12 who gave exceptional care over so many years.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Research Inc., Arms of Hope or to the charity of your choice.
Visitation will be held on Monday October 22 from 6-8pm at Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home, 4525 Bissonnet, Bellaire, TX 77401. There will be a memorial service at 10:30am on Saturday October 27 at Memorial Church of Christ, 900 Echo Ln, Houston, TX 77024.
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