Mr. McGaughey was a retired general contractor, builder, and arbitrator. He was a native Atlantan and the son of Roy Dorsey McGaughey and Ruth Cameron McGaughey.
He was a graduate of North Fulton High School, Georgia Tech, and Harvard Business School. While at Ga Tech, he joined the Sigma Nu Fraternity. Upon completing his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering at Ga Tech, he entered the United States Army and served in the Corps of Engineering for the duration of World War II. After World War II, he received his Master’s in Business Administration from Harvard Business School. He returned to Atlanta and joined the Henry C Beck Company for several years before going into business with his Father. They built many buildings in the metro Atlanta area.
Mr. McGaughey was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta where he served at various times on the Church Property Management Committee, Bethel Bible Study, and Archives Committee. He was a member of the Berean Bible Class and served at various times as secretary, treasurer, and president.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mrs. Martha Patterson McGaughey of Atlanta, daughter Martha Patterson McGaughey of Atlanta, and son John Cameron McGaughey, Jr. of Atlanta.
Due to COVID, the memorial service was postponed. The memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at 2 pm in the Winship Chapel of First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, 1328 Peachtree St NE Atlanta, GA 30309. The family will receive friends after the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta Music Ministry 1328 Peachtree St NE Atlanta, GA 30309 or Georgia Tech, Georgia Institute of Technology North Ave Atlanta, GA 30332 or their website gtf.gatech.edu