Dan Bob McWhorter, age 76, passed away peacefully at home in Amarillo, TX on June 9, 2024. He was born on October 13, 1947, to Henrietta “Kay” and D.C. McWhorter in Hereford, TX.
Dan will be remembered by his family and friends as a straight shooter who treated everyone with respect regardless of their position in life; as a man of great generosity who made many loans that turned into gifts; as a risk taker with a remarkable ability to turn a profit; and most of all as a man who took great care of the people he loved, especially the love of his life – his wife, Mary, and his children and grandchildren.
Dan was a private man about his faith, but his actions spoke louder than his words, and he had a personal relationship with his savior Jesus. His family rejoices that he is now in heaven enjoying family and friends he loved, and that God has replaced his broken body with a healed one.
Dan grew up in Hereford, TX in a close family. He considered his father, D.C., to be his best friend, and he was especially close to his brothers Ted and Steve, his cousin Gary Gosdin, and life-long friend Gayland Ward. Dan graduated from Hereford High School in 1966. Dan swept Mary Lynn Hays off her feet, and the two were married in 1977. June 25th would have been their 47th wedding anniversary. Together they successfully raised four children and many others would say Dan significantly influenced their lives.
Dan was a successful businessman by any standard, and he had a strong work ethic. He spent 10 years in the commodity business with his brother Steve and fed cattle for years with his brother Ted before starting Mc6 Cattle Feeders with Mary 15 miles north of Hereford in 1989. Mc6 began with a capacity of 1,500 head and has steadily grown over the past 35 years to 65,000 head today. Family has always been the central theme of the feedyard. The name "Mc6" represents the 6 McWhorters: Dan and Mary, Katie, Emily, Hannah, and Hank. His son Hank now runs the feedyard. Dan was an important figure in the cattle industry in the Texas Panhandle.
Dan enjoyed many other business ventures with close friends and family and had farms and ranches from as far south as Uvalde, TX to as far north as Brewster, NE. Dan was always interested in new business opportunities with people that were “honest and honorable” and often said he didn’t know what he wanted to be when he grew up. He was always willing to take a risk. He loved sharing everything he owned, and many memories were made at these ranches and on Dan’s land as he hosted legendary hunting trips over the years. The lake house in Austin will also hold a special place in the hearts of many as well as all kinds of family vacations taken over the years. Dan loved to have fun and create fun experiences for others. Whether it was ordering multiple entrees and desserts at a restaurant just so everyone could have a “taste,” trips to Las Vegas with his friends, or sharing his airplanes, cars, and motorcycles freely, we will always be grateful for all the experiences Dan gave to so many!
Dan is survived by his wife, Mary; his brothers Steve McWhorter and his wife, Jenny, of Amarillo, TX, and Ted McWhorter, and his wife, Cherry, of Hereford, TX; his daughter Katie Thomas and her husband, Doug of Austin, TX; his daughter Emily Wood and her husband, Casey, of Amarillo; his daughter Hannah Olszewski and her husband, Dave, of Breckenridge, CO; his son Hank McWhorter and his wife, Bekah, of Amarillo; and his grandchildren Annie and Mac Thomas, Marienne and Noelle Wood, Owen and Calvin Olszewski, and Hays and Townes McWhorter. The family is forever in debt to Ricky McMurray and later Lenox Archie and his wonderful family for all their help in recent years. They became our family.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 13, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Amarillo. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Amarillo Children’s Home.
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