Cleveland McGaughey passed peacefully on Monday, August 17, 2026.

Cleveland Michael McGaughey was born on October 3, 1959, the youngest child of loving parents, Ruth and Edgar McGaughey. As a child, he was doted on by his older sister and enjoyed collecting coins and sneaking pieces of cake while successfully hiding the damage. When he was little, he was his big brothers’ companion, riding on their shoulders as they hunted squirrels—practice for the deer hunting he would do with them as he got older. During his early teen years, he raised calves with the FFA, studied karate, and rode dirt bikes in motorcycle trials. He graduated from Columbia High School with the Class of 1978 and later attended Brazosport College.

As an adult, Cleveland showed his big heart by generously making sure the women he knew had working cell phones, tipping big whenever he had the chance, and readily buying Christmas presents for any kid he heard needed some. Several times, when Our Lady of Perpetual Help needed mattresses for needy families, he jumped in and bought the mattresses without hesitation.

After graduating from EMT training and receiving several rescue training certifications, Cleveland pursued work that reflected his love for safety. During his years at Phillips 66, he served full time with the Fire and Rescue Brigade as well as the Emergency Response Unit.

On October 23, 1989, the Phillips plant in Pasadena experienced a tremendous explosion and fire. Twenty-three employees and contractors were killed and over 300 were injured. Cleveland’s team rushed there to assist with recovery work and follow-up inspections. He was personally commended for his work there but never forgot what happened that day in Pasadena. He approached every job site and every operation as though lives depended on him. He went on to work as a consultant, conducting safety and health audits and inspections for Dow Chemical and other companies.

Cleve (as those closest to him knew him) was also an active and devoted member of the West Columbia Volunteer Fire Department. He worked his way up through the ranks, earned a “Fireman of the Year” award, and ultimately served as fire chief in 1995 and 1996. He was most proud of that role. According to his fellow firefighters, his accomplishments greatly contributed to the implementation of new programs, equipment, and firefighting techniques.

He will be dearly missed by his family and many friends, but his family takes comfort in knowing that he is in Heaven. In 2023, from his hospital bed, he made the sincere decision to make Jesus Christ his Lord. He was never the same after that—he was truly “a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Cleveland was preceded in death by his parents, Edgar Howard McGaughey Jr. and Ruth Beal McGaughey. He is survived by siblings Edgar (Ed) Howard McGaughey III and his wife, Suzanne; Marjorie Ruth Bertrand and her husband, Dean; and Tommy Beal McGaughey and his wife, Neva; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the health care workers who went above and beyond in caring for Cleveland for more than four years.

A visitation will be held from 1 to 1:45 p.m., followed by the funeral at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, at C.T. Baker & Sons Funeral Home, 634 S. Columbia Drive in West Columbia. A brief graveside service will follow in the historic Columbia Cemetery, 401 East Jackson Street.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Cleveland’s memory to the West Columbia Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 306, West Columbia, TX 77486.

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”

—Psalm 34:8 (ESV)