Orval Deland Mcgee

Orval Deland McGee, age 88 of Council Bluffs passed away July 25, 2022.

He was born on November 11, 1933 in Omaha, Nebraska to L. Deland and Dorothy (McDaniels) McGee.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, James McGee of Council Bluffs.

Orval attended high school at Abraham Lincoln in Council Bluffs. After graduating in 1952, Orval enlisted in the Army, where he took the opportunity to qualify as an elite member of a select branch in the Special Forces Airborne Unit, known as the Green Berets.

While in Special Forces training at Fort Bragg, NC Orval was attending a class on March 30th 1954, when a troop carrier plane crashed into the mess hall, killing seven and injuring 10. Regardless of the risk to himself, he ran into the flaming wreckage to help rescue trapped and injured survivors, where he remained until the fire was contained. Corporal McGee’s courageous response was instrumental in saving lives of injured survivors. As a result of his heroic actions, he was presented with the Soldier’s Medal for heroism as a member of the 77th Special Forces Group (Airborne).

Orval was a longtime member of the Special Forces Association, and worked for the Norfolk Southern Railroad for 41 years. He served as president for the National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees (NARVRE) of unit 30 in Council Bluffs for 22 years. He also served as a trustee for the Hazel Dell Township for 18 years.

Left to cherish many lasting memories are his wife; Judy of 39 years, children and many loving family and friends. Orval and Judy (Carlson) were united in marriage on October 6th,1983. They enjoyed working together on their family owned farm, along with spending time with loved ones. They have two daughters, Dianna (Bill) Kuyper of Omaha, NE and Pamela (Joe) Robinson of Fredericksburg, VA. Grandchildren; Nicole (Cory) Parker, Matthew Bomgaars, Laura (Kurt) Krallman, Andrew Bomgaars and fiancee Danielle - all of Omaha, NE. Ariane (Josh) Mosser and Nathan Robinson of Fredericksburg, VA. Alyssa (Stephen) Hafner of Clearwater FL. Jake (Kaylee) Kuyper of Des Moines, IA. Loving family members; Barbara Harris and Angela Mathis, as well as ten great grandchildren.

Visitation will be 1:00 to 3:00 pm Saturday, July 30th, 2022 at Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home. Celebration of Life Service will be at 3:00 also on Saturday, July 30th, 2022 at the funeral home. Inurnment with Military Honors at Hazel Dell Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to: Crescent Fire Dept. or NARVRE-National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees.