Lavere Franklin (Buckeye) McBee, age 88, a resident of Braymer, Missouri, passed away on December 9, 2023, at his home. "Buck" was born on July 7, 1935, in Caldwell County, Missouri, to Claude Franklin McBee and Neva (Bisel) McBee. He attended and graduated high school in Braymer, Missouri. He married Mary Drummond on March 23, 1980. She preceded him in death on November 29, 2020. He went to the military in 1958, where he served as an ambulance driver, working with medics to assist the wounded. Once he left the military, he started working with his father at the Braymer Maytag and L.P. Bottle Gas Company, which they owned. Buck worked there until 1974 when he decided to gain employment in Carrollton, Missouri. While there, he worked the winter months for the Banquet Dinners and in the spring and summer for Wilson Packing. Then he began working for Trenton Foods in Trenton, Missouri. This was followed by a career change to construction type work on missile sites from Bethany to Butler, the Chillicothe Hotel and Drug Store, Chillicothe Police Station, Chillicothe Jail House, and High Rises in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. He ended his career with bridge construction on Smithville Lake as well as concrete construction in Garden City, Missouri. When he retired, Buck loved antiquing and going to auctions with his late wife, Mary. He also loved maintaining multiple gardens where he raised vegetables that he generously shared with everyone. Another passion of his was raising dogs, milk cows and miniature horses. Buck cared deeply and loved with all of his heart. He was a man with a lot of love and enjoyment for those who have touched his life. Anyone who knew Buck knew he had a huge heart with a lot of love to share. He loved his wife, who he always referred to as his angel, and his children, grandchildren and family without end.

Buck is survived by his three children, Teresa Akers of Trenton, Missouri, Lavere William McBee, and Lisa Pierce and husband, Ronnie, all of Braymer, Missouri; daughter-in-law, Wanda McBee of Cowgill, Missouri; step son, Joe Drummond of Liberty, Missouri; step daughter, Debbie Hall and husband, Alan of Plattsburg, Missouri; nine grandchildren; five step grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; four step great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary; son, Charles Franklin (Sonny) McBee; step daughter-in-law, Lori Drummond; brother, Arthur Levi; and four sisters, Juanita Grace, Ruby Lee Nevah, Betty Jane, and Rachel Edna.

Graveside services will be held at Evergreen Cemetery, Braymer, Missouri on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. A visitation will be held at Lindley Pitts Funeral Home, Braymer, Missouri on Thursday, December 14, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. until service time at 10:00 a.m. Friends may call at Lindley Pitts Funeral Home, Braymer, Missouri on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 from 12:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Burial will be held at Evergreen Cemetery, Braymer, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to Evergreen Cemetery, Braymer, Missouri, and may be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online condolences may be made at www.lindleyfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Pitts Funeral Home, Braymer, Missouri.