Harlan O. Magee

Harlan O. Magee, of Topeka, passed away August 7, 2023. He was surrounded by his family in his home on the same block where he had lived most of his 100 years. He was born in Oakland, Ks, to Ira O. and Floye V. (Snyder) Magee on March 14, 1923.

Harlan attended Oakland Elementary and Holliday Jr. High through 9th grade, then left school to go to work as a meat cutter at Morrells. In 1942 he enlisted in the United States Army and was trained in Radio and Communications school before serving in the Signal Corp in the South Pacific Theater. He was discharged in January of 1946.

On April 18, 1948, he married Delphine Cook. He never forgot meeting her for the first time at a root beer stand when she was 14 and he was 18. When he returned from the service he saw her again at the downtown Egyptian Ballroom- they danced all night- the rest is history! They were married for 41 wonderful years, raising Suzi, Nancy and Bentley in the house he grew up in, now with four bedrooms he added on, enjoying their kid's friends and then spouses and grandchildren, dinner and dancing at the Moose Lodge, traveling in the camper, gardening and working on their house together. Delphine passed away October 8th, 1989.

Following in his father's and grandfather's footsteps, Harlan began his life's work as a Brick and Stone Mason after the war. He was a 73-year member of the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers International Union. Included in his body of work are buildings, churches, homes, and fireplaces all over the area.
Among others, his favorite honor received was the 'Architect's award for Excellence in Masonry' for his craftsmanship on Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oakland. His own homes were a reflection of his talent as a designer and builder.

Harlan had so many interests and skills. He was always working on something. He was a master gardener, daily bread baker, wine-maker, bee-keeper, cook, ear-piercer, and macrame and stained-glass artist. He played guitar and loved to sing old classic country, gospel and honky-tonk, where he loved to harmonize with family members. He didn't miss a KU basketball game on TV. He loved to read, and watch Westerns. He worked on radios and tvs and cars and could do every aspect of home remodeling, and jumped right in to help anyone who needed it. He dug wells and installed an elevator in his church!

Later in life, he married long-time friend Mona Logan in November of 1990. Together they designed and built a little cottage on the same block he had always lived on, and found a future that included a very large and boisterous blended family who descended on them every Sunday. They enjoyed travel, church life, and spending time with many good friends and extended family. Mona passed away just before their 30th wedding anniversary.

For a guy who didn't stray too far for too long from that one little block in Oakland, he led an extraordinary life. He was loved and will be so missed.

Harlan is survived by his children, Susan Lindstrom, Silver Lake; Nancy (Tom) Hedges, Topeka; and Bentley (Julie) Magee, Manhattan; step children, Pierce Logan (Brenda Artzer), Tecumseh; Christy (Miles) McDonald, Colorado Springs, CO; Holly Logan (Joseph Kotsch) Topeka; 18 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, with 2 on the way; 1 great-great grandchild; sister-in-law, Patricia Cook Raby; and several nieces and nephews that he cared about deeply.

Magee grandchildren and their children are: Matthew Harrington, San Antonio, TX: his children Kennedy and Harlan; Shane Harrington, (Kathy), Silver Lake: Haley, Hayden, and Hazel; Jayme Lindstrom, (Meaghan Mullis) Topeka; Shannon Vanderbilt, (Kevin), Silver Lake: Moxon, Mattox, McKinnon.
Lacey Raccio, (Alfred), Gardiner, ME; Wyatt Desch, (Tonya), Topeka: Gillian Henry (Stormy Lukasavage), Azalia, Clark Henry, Sam Henry; Austin Desch, Topeka, Bentley; Audrey Desch, Topeka: Thatcher Torrez, Nigel Garcia, Daphne Desch, Nolan Desch; Robin Hedges Ray, (Chuck), Berea, KY: Sydney; Blake Belisle, Parkville, Mo; Stephanie Magee, Idaho Falls, ID; Alexa Magee, (Corey Kaszanics) Manhattan, Hallie; Danielle Hadsall, (Chris), Rossville.

Logan grandchildren and their children are: Johnny Logan, (Shelley) Gunnison, CO: JJ Logan (Tasha), Sierra Logan;
Jody Arteaga, (Javier) Beaverton, OR: Isabel, Austin, Luci; Jessica Rogers, (Elliot) Lawrence: Grace, Allison, and Logan Mayhew; Eli Logan, (Kim Fender) Topeka: Osiris and Brogan Fender; Kelsey Davidson, (Kit), Gunnison, CO: Otis and Orion;
Logan McDonald, Gunnison, CO.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Delphine Magee and second wife, Mona Logan Magee; both of his parents; his siblings, Maxine Boaz, Pauline Kohler, Betty Jane Marling, Winona Light, Bonnie Papporello, and Milton Magee; his son-in-law Tom Harrington and a step-son, Austin Logan.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 13, 2023 at Parker-Price Funeral Home from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Funeral service will be held on Monday, August 14, 2023 at Parker Price Funeral Home at 10:00 am; followed by graveside service with military honors at Rochester Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Oakland Presbyterian Church, 2810 NE Thomas, Topeka, 66616.

To share a memory of Harlan or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.


Harlan's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click Here to view the service.