Ira Massingill Jr.

Ira Massingill Jr, age 90 of Gatesville, Texas, passed away in Waco on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. Graveside services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Thursday, November 12, 2020 at the Murphree Cemetery in Evant, Texas. There will be a come and go visitation at Scott’s Funeral Home on Thursday from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Ira was born on February 11, 1930 in Stanton, Texas to the late Ira Isaac Massingill and Wilferd Lee Moore Massingill. He was the oldest of eleven siblings and grew up in, and around, Central Texas. Fondly called “Junior” by family and friends, he attended school in Evant and Gatesville. Junior joined the U.S. Navy at age 18 in 1948 and was stationed in Pensacola, Florida. After being honorably discharged from the Navy he was drafted into the U.S. Army in May of 1952 and served heroically in the Korean War.

Upon return from the war, he married Peggy Bentley on June 30, 1956. Their early years of marriage were spent in west Texas before traveling the state, New Mexico, Kansas, and Colorado following Junior’s work, before eventually settling in Gatesville. Junior was a very talented welder and retired from Ironworkers Local Union 482 after 30 years in 1986. He was not happy unless he was working so he spent the next ten years as a commercial project superintendent for CLM Construction of Gatesville. After retiring from CLM, Junior worked for himself doing yard work, often with his wife and/or one of his beloved grandchildren. Area residents experienced his kind and caring personality and integrity in a job well done. He loved fishing, particularly with his brothers, son and grandchildren and just spending time doing anything with his grandchildren.

Junior was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Norris Wayne (Sonny) Massingill and John Robert (Rob) Massingill; and his sister, Billie Jean Massingill Bond.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Peggy Massingill; son, Olan Dewayne Massingill and wife, Tammy of Freeport; and daughter, Kathy Dianne Massingill Brady and husband, Arthur of Leon Junction.

Additionally, his grandchildren: Christopher Wade Baker and wife, Vanessa of Bellingham, Washington; Ryan Arthur Brady and wife, Savannah of Austin; Shalayne Elise Massingill of Gatesville; Cassidy Cheyenne Brady of Gatesville; Gage Wyatt Ira Brady and wife, Samara of Palestine; and Kaylee LeAnn Massingill of Freeport; great grandchildren: Gleana (Lea), Joseph, and Olivia; and siblings: Mahlon (Bud) Massingill, Raymond Earl Massingill, Sybil Massingill Beaty, Ned Massingill, Ted Massingill, Joye Massingill Thackson, and Lynn Massingill, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends. Junior was loved dearly and will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to Blessings Food Pantry at 2225 East Main Street, Gatesville, Texas 76528.