I just received news that Rory McGahan has passed away. A USMC Veteran, Rory was a patriot and worked for several prominent companies in industry after leaving the service. He was a friend to many and will be missed.
There are few details so far but first and foremost, let’s keep his daughter in our thoughts and prayers. If you’ve got a memory of Rory, this is a good place to share it.
Rest In Peace my friend.
Tags: Rory McGahan
I ain’t got the words…
Me either
RIP Rory. Glad to call you my friend.
SF
I worked with Rory as a medic for TCSO SWAT at the end of the 90’s. The Rory I knew can’t be gone. He just wasn’t that kind of guy.
My fingers can’t figure out how to type what I want to say.
RIP Rory.
That sums it up well, Whiskey 1-1. That’s exactly what I feel…he was a powerhouse of integrity and personality and more. Too strong even for death, but gentle enough to want to be with his sweet daughter again.
I’m still in shock, Rory will be remembered, RIP friend.
May Our Friend rest in peace… he deserves it… the past couple of years were rough.
Truly one of the GOOD GUYS.
DR & MAS
RIP Rory. Rory was my POC for wilcox and was always a pleasure to deal with.
Still stunned by the news. Rest well brother, you will be missed.
SF
Cormac
Rory,
RIP, Brother in Arms.
Thanks for your frienship!
We will meet again in Whalhalla.
To your loved ones, your are in our thoughts!
Roger, Royal Netherlands Marine Corps
Rory was one of my first friends in this industry. Simply put, I always wanted to be where he was. I kept in touch with him over the years and saw him deal with a ton of adversity. he always handled it with grace and humility.
Grace and peace be with you Rory, when I see you again, I am happy for your soul. when we meet again, make sure they don’t serve me Guinness in a frosted mug.
Love you Brother.
Rory was one of the first guys I met once assigned to PEO Soldier and working the Rapid Fielding Inititive for gun lights. He helped me understand a wide array of soldier gear from the industry side. We Kept in touch as he moved to helmet mounts and later to oil and gas. First and foremost was always his love and concern for his daughter who he loves dearly. Thank you for your service and friendship. You will be missed.
A Marine is never dead as long as he lives in the heart of another Marine.
I’ll miss you Marine.
SF, Al
Rest in peace Rory, thank you for your friendship and your service. We will miss you.
Knew Him well worked with and partied with him on several occasions he was a great man. He will be missed. Fair Winds and Following seas Rory…….
I spent my teenage years around Rory, he was my inspiration to enlist in the Marines and for that I will always be grateful, it changed my life in many ways. Though our paths crossed many times over the years I could always count on that crazy grin, warm smile and epic conversation. You will be greatly missed but not forgotten brother
SF
Sorry about the loss… I didn’t know him there must be another mission for this marine again I’m sorry for the loss
Rory,
My friend you will be missed.
Is this the same Rory that was a Sheriff Deputy with Travis County, TX (Austin) back in the late 90’s?
Yes
Sorry for the loss. RIP, Rory! He was one of my instructors at the TCSD SWAT school and he also introduced/sold me a Surefire flashlight, which I still use because of him. He will always be remembered.
RIP my friend. I am honored to have called you a friend.
Rory was a class act and a good friend. Please pass any funds raising details. RIP Rory you will be thought of fondly and missed dearly. See you on the high ground.
Fundraising info can be found here…
https://rorymcgahanmemorial.shutterfly.com/
Rory was one of the first instructors in the tactical use of a flashlight we ever encountered. He was just a great guy, friend, leader that will be missed by many. We laughed just the other day about when TSA tried to detain him at our local airport for explosive residue. I will miss him. Strength and Honor Rory!
God Bless brother.
Rory McGahan
It is said that a man’s WORTH in this world can be measured by the LIVES he has touched. And, I can say with expert opinion, that Rory touched LIVES and, did it in a way nothing short of a GODSEND. All who knew and loved him can attest to that, and hold that dear and close in your hearts.
I knew Rory. I knew him well. He was my friend; my confidant; co-worker; a fellow warrior; and a member of The Brotherhood, which to prove it, he wore the medallion me and my family gave him on Christmas in 2010, every day…I never saw him without it; and he was a man of unwavering character. But, most of all, he was a child of God; a Brother in Christ.
Those that were blessed enough to come to know Rory can attest that he was a man who lived life with a PASSION. A man who grabbed ahold of the world and SQEEEEZED out every ounce of joy, out of EVERY SECOND, of his life. And HE DIDN’T ask for permission or forgiveness for doing so. Rory was able to do things in his life that most of us only dream and wished we could – he LIVED LIFE. He had his ups and downs, and battled his own personal demons, as all of us do. But he LIVED LIFE. And, not like most of the REST of us, who just SIT on the sidelines ENVYING men like him WHO DO.
Rory was a man who TOUCHED people – and that part of his CHARACTER I personally witnessed time and time, again. He was BLESSED with the ability to reach out and TOUCH lives with even the most casual contact. A LOOK from him; a short COMMENT he would make in passing; a casual CONVERSATION from him – that was all that was needed to passionately and permanently impact people’s lives. He was always the first to offer a helping hand; and the last to ask for help, himself. And, he offered that help with a POSITIVE, GLEEFUL, UPLIFTING, MOTIVATING, and LONG-LASTING attitude. This was GOD’S gift to HIM…No…Rory was God’s gift to US ALL.
Yesterday evening, after I learned of Rory’S PASSING, I laid awake all night long, with this whole painful ordeal running through my mind, over and over again; wishing there was something I could say or do to ease the pain of everyone who knew & loved him so much. As I laid awake, a poem (that most of you know well), by the 19th century Shawnee Chief, Tecumseh, kept going through my head. It made no sense to me at the time, and I discounted it as my being over-mellodramatic at the loss of my friend. But this evening, I pulled it out and read it – SEVERAL TIMES. And, as the words soaked in, it was as if Tecumseh was talking about Rory and his life, all along:
Tecumseh
LIVE YOUR LIFE
“So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their views; and demand that they respect yours. Love your LIFE; perfect your LIFE; beautify all things in your LIFE; Seek to make your LIFE long and its purpose in the service of your people, [AND] Prepare a noble death song – for the day when you go over the great divide.
Always give a [KIND] word – or a sign of salute – when meeting or passing a friend, [or] even a stranger, when [TRAVELING] in a lonely place. SHOW RESPECT to all people and GROVEL TO NONE.
When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise MEN to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.
When it comes your time to die, be not like those WHOSE HEARTS are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they WEEP and PRAY for a little more time to live their lives over AGAIN in a different way. Sing your death song PROUD and die like a hero GOING HOME.”
May the Lord bless & keep you all.
I am still in shock that Rory is gone. He was one of the best humans I ever had the honor of knowing. Like many of us he had is demons but kept moving forward. We are all better for having had Rory in our lives.
Semper Fi bro!
A friend of many, a Brother of a proud few. Rory always wanted to help connect good people. As an industry friend that was doing my best to get a company off of the ground, he was one (along with GW who posted above) that never stopped encouraging and supporting. Rest in peace, Rory. God bless your family.