Hoover, Alabama, Col. Philip E. McMahan, age 77, died Saturday, July 27, 2019, after a 6 1/2 year battle with cancer. He was at home, surrounded by loving family members.
Philip was preceded in death by his father, Paul Everett McMahan (1911-1986), and his mother, Melanie Bossinger McMahan (1920-2015).
He is survived by his wife of 51+ years - Sandra Ivey McMahan; daughters - Leah McMahan Akers (Derek), Lanae McMahan (Brian), Laura McMahan; his granddaughter, Kaylee Elizabeth Hallmon; sister, Nancy Willis; brother, Kenneth McMahan (Judi); and many, wonderful nephews and nieces, and great nieces and nephews.
Philip was a veteran of the Vietnam War, where he served with distinction in 1970. He was a recipient of the Legion of Merit, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star with V device and 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal with V device, the Vietnam Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, many Army Commendation Medals, and other awards. Next to his family, Philip loved the military. He spent the bulk of his military career as a member of the 87th MAC/Division Exercise in Birmingham. He was also the Task Force Vulcan Commander in El Salvador and was responsible for building schools for the children there. He finished the project approximately $800,000.00 under budget and received many accolades from his commanders, the Ambassador in El Salvador, and the local people. When he attended the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks in Pennsylvania, he gave such an outstanding lecture on the Air Land Battle Concept that he was made group leader of his class for the second year. He also served as Chief of Staff of the 87th MAC during the end of his career.
Philip was also outstanding in his civilian life. He and Jimmy Rane were the original Founders of Great Southern Wood Preserving (Yellow Wood) in Abbeville, Alabama. Then, Philip returned to Birmingham to pursue a law degree and graduated from the Birmingham School of Law while he owned and worked at the Fountainette Sandwich Shop in the Frank Nelson Building. In 1973, he purchased the original Johnny Ray's Barbecue in the Roebuck Shopping Center and ran that until 1977.
In the early 70's he also founded McNuts Radiator, where he manufactured and repaired radiator cores. When Wal-Mart purchased the property, he established Phil's Honda Parts in Blount County, and a friend continues to operate the business. Unfortunately, his health deteriorated, and he was forced to retire from the military in 1997 and discontinue working at his business around 2012. What a warrior! He not only suffered in battle, but also suffered from Stage IV Metastasized Melanoma, Kidney Disease, Diabetes, and ultimately leukemia. His death came as a shock to all of us because he had such a strong will to live and had always conquered everything he faced.
Philip was preceded in death by his father, Paul Everett McMahan (1911-1986), and his mother, Melanie Bossinger McMahan (1920-2015).
He is survived by his wife of 51+ years - Sandra Ivey McMahan; daughters - Leah McMahan Akers (Derek), Lanae McMahan (Brian), Laura McMahan; his granddaughter, Kaylee Elizabeth Hallmon; sister, Nancy Willis; brother, Kenneth McMahan (Judi); and many, wonderful nephews and nieces, and great nieces and nephews.
Philip was a veteran of the Vietnam War, where he served with distinction in 1970. He was a recipient of the Legion of Merit, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star with V device and 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal with V device, the Vietnam Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, many Army Commendation Medals, and other awards. Next to his family, Philip loved the military. He spent the bulk of his military career as a member of the 87th MAC/Division Exercise in Birmingham. He was also the Task Force Vulcan Commander in El Salvador and was responsible for building schools for the children there. He finished the project approximately $800,000.00 under budget and received many accolades from his commanders, the Ambassador in El Salvador, and the local people. When he attended the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks in Pennsylvania, he gave such an outstanding lecture on the Air Land Battle Concept that he was made group leader of his class for the second year. He also served as Chief of Staff of the 87th MAC during the end of his career.
Philip was also outstanding in his civilian life. He and Jimmy Rane were the original Founders of Great Southern Wood Preserving (Yellow Wood) in Abbeville, Alabama. Then, Philip returned to Birmingham to pursue a law degree and graduated from the Birmingham School of Law while he owned and worked at the Fountainette Sandwich Shop in the Frank Nelson Building. In 1973, he purchased the original Johnny Ray's Barbecue in the Roebuck Shopping Center and ran that until 1977.
In the early 70's he also founded McNuts Radiator, where he manufactured and repaired radiator cores. When Wal-Mart purchased the property, he established Phil's Honda Parts in Blount County, and a friend continues to operate the business. Unfortunately, his health deteriorated, and he was forced to retire from the military in 1997 and discontinue working at his business around 2012. What a warrior! He not only suffered in battle, but also suffered from Stage IV Metastasized Melanoma, Kidney Disease, Diabetes, and ultimately leukemia. His death came as a shock to all of us because he had such a strong will to live and had always conquered everything he faced.
Hoover, Alabama, Col. Philip E. McMahan, age 77, died Saturday, July 27, 2019, after a 6 1/2 year battle with cancer. He was at home, surrounded by loving family members.
Philip was preceded in death by his father, Paul Everett McMahan (1911-1986), and his mother, Melanie Bossinger McMahan (1920-2015).
He is survived by his wife of 51+ years - Sandra Ivey McMahan; daughters - Leah McMahan Akers (Derek), Lanae McMahan (Brian), Laura McMahan; his granddaughter, Kaylee Elizabeth Hallmon; sister, Nancy Willis; brother, Kenneth McMahan (Judi); and many, wonderful nephews and nieces, and great nieces and nephews.
Philip was a veteran of the Vietnam War, where he served with distinction in 1970. He was a recipient of the Legion of Merit, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star with V device and 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal with V device, the Vietnam Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, many Army Commendation Medals, and other awards. Next to his family, Philip loved the military. He spent the bulk of his military career as a member of the 87th MAC/Division Exercise in Birmingham. He was also the Task Force Vulcan Commander in El Salvador and was responsible for building schools for the children there. He finished the project approximately $800,000.00 under budget and received many accolades from his commanders, the Ambassador in El Salvador, and the local people. When he attended the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks in Pennsylvania, he gave such an outstanding lecture on the Air Land Battle Concept that he was made group leader of his class for the second year. He also served as Chief of Staff of the 87th MAC during the end of his career.
Philip was also outstanding in his civilian life. He and Jimmy Rane were the original Founders of Great Southern Wood Preserving (Yellow Wood) in Abbeville, Alabama. Then, Philip returned to Birmingham to pursue a law degree and graduated from the Birmingham School of Law while he owned and worked at the Fountainette Sandwich Shop in the Frank Nelson Building. In 1973, he purchased the original Johnny Ray's Barbecue in the Roebuck Shopping Center and ran that until 1977.
In the early 70's he also founded McNuts Radiator, where he manufactured and repaired radiator cores. When Wal-Mart purchased the property, he established Phil's Honda Parts in Blount County, and a friend continues to operate the business. Unfortunately, his health deteriorated, and he was forced to retire from the military in 1997 and discontinue working at his business around 2012. What a warrior! He not only suffered in battle, but also suffered from Stage IV Metastasized Melanoma, Kidney Disease, Diabetes, and ultimately leukemia. His death came as a shock to all of us because he had such a strong will to live and had always conquered everything he faced.
Philip was preceded in death by his father, Paul Everett McMahan (1911-1986), and his mother, Melanie Bossinger McMahan (1920-2015).
He is survived by his wife of 51+ years - Sandra Ivey McMahan; daughters - Leah McMahan Akers (Derek), Lanae McMahan (Brian), Laura McMahan; his granddaughter, Kaylee Elizabeth Hallmon; sister, Nancy Willis; brother, Kenneth McMahan (Judi); and many, wonderful nephews and nieces, and great nieces and nephews.
Philip was a veteran of the Vietnam War, where he served with distinction in 1970. He was a recipient of the Legion of Merit, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star with V device and 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Medal with V device, the Vietnam Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, many Army Commendation Medals, and other awards. Next to his family, Philip loved the military. He spent the bulk of his military career as a member of the 87th MAC/Division Exercise in Birmingham. He was also the Task Force Vulcan Commander in El Salvador and was responsible for building schools for the children there. He finished the project approximately $800,000.00 under budget and received many accolades from his commanders, the Ambassador in El Salvador, and the local people. When he attended the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks in Pennsylvania, he gave such an outstanding lecture on the Air Land Battle Concept that he was made group leader of his class for the second year. He also served as Chief of Staff of the 87th MAC during the end of his career.
Philip was also outstanding in his civilian life. He and Jimmy Rane were the original Founders of Great Southern Wood Preserving (Yellow Wood) in Abbeville, Alabama. Then, Philip returned to Birmingham to pursue a law degree and graduated from the Birmingham School of Law while he owned and worked at the Fountainette Sandwich Shop in the Frank Nelson Building. In 1973, he purchased the original Johnny Ray's Barbecue in the Roebuck Shopping Center and ran that until 1977.
In the early 70's he also founded McNuts Radiator, where he manufactured and repaired radiator cores. When Wal-Mart purchased the property, he established Phil's Honda Parts in Blount County, and a friend continues to operate the business. Unfortunately, his health deteriorated, and he was forced to retire from the military in 1997 and discontinue working at his business around 2012. What a warrior! He not only suffered in battle, but also suffered from Stage IV Metastasized Melanoma, Kidney Disease, Diabetes, and ultimately leukemia. His death came as a shock to all of us because he had such a strong will to live and had always conquered everything he faced.
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