John Doyce Padgett Sr.

John Padgett, Sr. of McGregor died Sunday, May 9, 2010, at the age of 49. Graveside services and interment will be 2:00 P.M. Thursday, May 13, 2010, at Harris Creek Cemetery under the direction of Cole Funeral Home, 1113 West Fifth Street, McGregor with Rev. Roy Marshall officiating. Visitation will be 6 to 8 P.M. Wednesday at Cole Funeral Home.

John was born April 29, 1961, in Waco, Texas, the son of Denny Ray and Ina Jo (Bledsoe) Padgett, Sr. and was a 1979 graduate of Midway High School. He was employed by Owens-Illinois Glass Company in Waco for eleven years. In 2010, he returned to McGregor from Louisiana.

Preceding him in death were a daughter Jenny Deanne Padgett and his grandparents.

Survivors include his father and step-mother, Denny Ray and Rita Padgett of Belton; his mother and step-father, Ina Jo and Joe Jackson of McGregor; a son, John Padgett, Jr. and a daughter, Chrissy Canady both of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; a brother, Denny Padgett, Jr. and wife Barbara of Waco; three sisters, Denise Griffin and husband David of Robinson, Deanna Yeager and husband Don of McGregor, Melissa Fraley and husband Tony of Hewitt; two step-sisters, Lisa Sanders and husband Steve of Hewitt, Brenna Henry and husband Clayton of Waco; three grandchildren, Haylee, Hunter, and Cody; the mother of his children, Lavinia (Canady) Padgett and many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

For those desiring, the family has suggested McGregor EMS in care of Mynette Taylor, 311 South Main Street, McGregor, Texas 76657 or Fresh Start Ministries, P.O. Box 593, Winnsboro, Louisiana 71295, for memorial contributions.

A Tribute to My Brother

by Missy

It doesn't surprise me to hear that I took my first steps to my big brother, John. My brother had such a huge heart and an ability to make you feel "okay" with who you are. I have always felt a comfort - an ease - with him that doesn't come easy for me so it makes sense that I would take my first steps into his arms. I credit that with John's huge heart and his very gracious capacity to love people "as is." The most important thing I want the world to know about my big brother is that you never had to question how much he loved you. I knew with one hundred percent certainty that he loved me with all of his heart - just as he loved each and every one of us. No matter what I said, what I did, the mistakes I made in my life, or the time and distance that passed between us, I knew that he loved me no matter what. And he was NEVER afraid to say it and show it.

And that is such a blessing to all of us that were lucky enough to be a part of his life. Let his unconditional love, his kindness, his sweet and gentle spirit, his huge capacity to love all of us - let that be an example for us. Our brother, our son, our father, our cousin, our friend - let's pay tribute to him by embodying these qualities that he so easily exemplified.