Obituary

Aubrey A. “Gus” Magee

March 6, 1941 - March 16, 2026

Aubrey A. “Gus” Magee, born March 6, 1941, passed away peacefully at Resthaven Living Center surrounded by loved ones at the age of 85.

Gus graduated from Varnado High School in 1959. In 1961 he married the love of his life, Bobbie, and together they made their home in Varnado, Louisiana, where they built a life centered on family, faith, and community.

Soon after graduating, Gus began working at the Gaylord Box Plant. He later retired from United Gas Pipeline/Koch Industries after many years of dedicated service. Never one to stay idle, Gus returned to work following retirement and spent several more years serving the community at the Varnado Waterworks District.

Gus had a deep love for his family, farming, and the outdoors. However, his greatest passion and gift was woodworking. His craftsmanship became widely known throughout Washington Parish, and he found tremendous joy in building and creating pieces for so many people in the community.

For many years, Gus could be found in his booth at the Mile Branch Settlement during the Washington Parish Free Fair. There he proudly displayed and sold the many items he crafted throughout the year, including dough bowls, baskets, canes, spoons, paddles, swings, rockers, and his well-known ping pong guns. Gus truly enjoyed meeting new people and catching up with old friends during the fair. When the fair ended, he often returned home with a long list of orders and requests, which he eagerly began working on for the next year.

Gus was preceded in death by his parents, Aubrey Sr. and Bernadine Sprehe Magee.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Bobbie Robins Magee; two sons, Wade (Debbie) Magee and Clay Magee, both of Varnado. Grandchildren: Amber (Chad) Burge of Bogalusa, Adam (Shana) Magee of Varnado, Makayla (Quinton) Cooper of Bogalusa, Collin (Kayleigh) Magee of Hammond, and Makenna (Nick) Wager of Franklinton. Great-grandchildren: Kailee (Colby) Thompson of Columbia, Kinlee (Byron) Hyatt of Mt. Hermon, Evelyn Magee, Colston Cooper, Lainey Magee, Weston Cooper, and Stetson Wager. Great-great-grandchild: Miller Hyatt.

Gus will be remembered dearly for his devotion to his family and friends, as well as for the beautiful craftsmanship he shared with his community through his woodworking.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 10:00a.m. until the service time of 1:00p.m. at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home.  Rev. Patrick Magee will officiate and interment will follow at Seal Cemetery in Varnado, LA.  Pallbearers will be Adam Magee, Collin Magee, Colby Thompson, Quinton Cooper, Byron Hyatt, and Nick Wager.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Brandon Jones, George Adams, Louis Adams, Randy Seal, Johnny McBeth, Boosie Carter, Wayne Adams, and J.C. Adams.  

In lieu of flowers Gus and his family ask that donations be made to the Lee’s Creek Baptist Church music ministry fund.