Paul Durwood Magee

Paul Magee of Beaumont, TX, died peacefully on January 29, 2026 at the age of 91 surrounded by his loving family. Paul was born on September 21, 1934 in Beaumont to Don & Ella Magee, but grew up in Rose City, TX, in a close-knit family that taught him the values of faith, hard work, and loyalty.

Paul graduated from Vidor High School in 1953, where he lettered in four sports. He excelled in baseball and caught the attention of professional scouts. Though offered a contract with the Beaumont Exporters (a minor league team), he chose instead to marry his high school sweetheart, Susie Savant, on March 25, 1955. Paul served in the United States Army as a Sergeant during the time of the Korean War, stationed in Fort Riley, Kansas, and then in the United States Army Reserve. After Paul’s military service, he and Susie returned to their hometown of Vidor, TX and raised three children: Sherry, Kevin, and Mark. Paul worked at DuPont’s Sabine River Works plant in Orange, TX, for 35 years, eventually becoming Area Superintendent — the highest non-professional rank at the company. He graduated from Lamar University in 1973 with Highest Honors with an Associate degree by attending night school for eight years while working full-time and raising a family.

Paul had a lifelong love of sports and a special love of coaching. He coached youth sports (baseball, football, and basketball) from the 1950’s through the 1990’s in Vidor and Beaumont, TX, coaching his own children, nephews, grandchildren and countless other young people. Many of those he coached still relate to his children the impact that “Coach Magee “ had on their lives.

After retiring from DuPont in December 1992, Paul became a sought-after consultant, traveling the country and internationally to help industrial plants with start-up operations. His expertise took him to Utah, Maine, France, Sweden, and South Africa.

Paul married Crystal Hill in 2005, with whom he shared a love of traveling across the U.S. (many times on a Suzuki Bergman scooter – his passion!) as well as helping her train for her marathons. If they were not on a trip together, you could find Paw Paw and Crystal at the grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s weddings, graduations, sporting events, or dance recitals, cheering for them on the first row. Attending his grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s activities was one of the great joys of his life. Family was the most important thing to Paul and his family knew that by his actions and his constant presence. He traveled many miles to be with his family for their important moments, bringing with him the gifts of jokes and laughter.

Paul is survived by his wife of 20 years, Crystal Hill-Magee of Beaumont; his children: Sherry Travis and her husband, John, of Beaumont, TX, Kevin Magee and his wife, Elizabeth, of

Dallas, TX, and Mark Magee of Marble Falls, TX; and his grandchildren: Josey Dishman and his wife, Ashlyn, of Beaumont, TX, Caroline Magee Smith and her husband, Matthew Smith, of Houston, TX, Catherine Magee Jessup and her husband, Lt. Ben Jessup, of Twentynine Palms, CA, Draven Magee of Marble Falls, TX, and Aislin Magee Gee and her husband, Josh Gee, of Marble Falls, TX. Paul has been the most amazing grandfather and was blessed with the opportunity to also share his gifts and wisdom with his great-grandchildren: Ireland Hanna, Ryce Dishman, and Legend Dishman, all of Beaumont, TX, and Ayla and Riya Gee, of Marble Falls, TX. He is also survived by Shelby Brown, sister-in-law, and her husband, Mark, of Minot, ND. as well as by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins with whom Paul stayed in close contact and who dearly loved their Uncle Paul. To his credit, many of his children’s close friends and extended family also counted him as family.

He was preceded in death by his parents Don and Ella Magee; his brothers John Magee, James Magee, and Raymond Magee; the mother of his children, his first wife, Susie Savant Magee, and brother-in-law Bobby Simmons.

Paul was a true gentleman who was devoted to his family; he valued education, hard work, laughter, and doing right by others. He will be greatly missed and his legacy and memory will live on forever in his family and those who loved him. We are heartbroken, but we live in the hope of the resurrection that we will see him again one day and pledge to honor his memory in living by his guiding principles of love for family and enthusiasm to live life to the fullest.

Gentlemen serving as pallbearers will be: Josey Dishman, Draven Magee, John Travis, Lt. Ben Jessup, Joshua Gee, and Matthew Smith.

Gentlemen serving as Honorary Pallbearers will be: Jason Brown, Christopher Brown, and Jack Graham.