John Andrew McGraw
May 10, 1945 ~ October 22, 2017
John McGraw, 72 years old, of Hartsburg, MO, passed away in his home on October 22, 2017.
John was born on May 10, 1945, in Manchester, Iowa to Ron and Eileen (OConner) McGraw.
John served honorably in the US Navy from 1965 through 1972, where his final duty assignment was on the nuclear missile submarine USS Tecumseh.
After discharge, he moved to Boston, MA and completed a Mechanical Engineering Degree from North Eastern University. Upon Graduation, 1980, he moved to Jefferson City Missouri and worked at Callaway Nuclear Power Plant until he retired.
John meet his future wife, Dr. Brenda Woods, while volunteering for Big Brothers/Big Sisters. They married at their Hartsburg home on January 30, 1999.
John and Brenda remained active members of Big Brother/Big Sisters where they created lasting impact in the lives of local youth. Other charitable work included volunteering at VA Hospital in Columbia and generous donations.
The loss of John is felt by everyone whose life he touched. He was always ready to do more than his share of the work for friends, family, neighbors, and even strangers. He enjoyed teaching the younger generation the tools they needed grow into adults. Almost as much as he enjoyed being a good-natured prankster. He was particularly fond of sharing his knowledge of the wonderful and frustrating world of fishing. And, uniquely skilled at stepping back and allowing people to make their own mistakes, when necessary, to learn lifes most important lessons.
John is survived by his loving wife Dr. Brenda Woods; children: Ron McGraw (w. Juliana Cheatham), Jeff McGraw (w. Clarissa Smith); siblings: Connie, Carol, Coleen, Jan, Jim, and Jeff; as well as 18 nieces and nephews and an ever-growing number of grand-nieces and nephews.
John is preceded on his journey by his grandson, Andrew Johnathan McGraw.
John passed in peace with a smile on his face and now goes forward to teach his grandson Andrew how to fish….
Visitation will be 2-5 p.m. Friday, November 3, 2017, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday, November 4, 2017, at St. Peter Catholic Church with the Rev. Joshua Duncan officiating. The service will conclude with military honors.
Burial will be Monday, November 6th, at St. Marys Cemetery in Manchester, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Missouri, 4250 East Broadway Suite 1067 Columbia, Missouri 65201 or St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.
Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Your family at Callaway is indeed saddened. Rest in peace John…I’ll have a gin and tonic in your memory….
May you find comfort in the love of family and friends. Sincere condolences. The Callaway Retirees/Paul & Sarah Miller
I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. I hope you find comfort in knowing that your loved one is safe in the memory of God, who will remember every detail about him & bring him back again. John 5:28,29. You have my condolences.
Condolences to both Brenda and Mary and the McGraw family. John and I started at Callaway about the same time and worked together for about 25 years. John was one of my best friends. He was one of the finest men I have known. Here’s a G an T for you!
John, we were always laughing and that was some of my happiest moments at Progressive Spine Care and Rehab. You got a great kick out of the little baby I grabbed to hold and she threw up on me. I still smile when I think of that. I love you and will miss you always keeping up with me where ever the state I moved to. Brenda, my heart and prayers goes out to you and sending my love
Brenda, you have our deepest sympathy, and I hope our prayers help you in your grief.
John and those pool players at the Ashland Senior Center of several years ago had awful good times together. Our breakfasts and tournaments were things that I will remember about John and so many others that have went on before him numbering twelve. Karl Blank was one of those that I speak of, had made a replica of a pool table top with bronze 2 and 1/2 inch tags that we inscribe with their names and year. I hope John will know that we have one on order for him. He was such a swell guy, but he was like me, when that cue ball didn’t go where it was supposed to there may be a profanity shouted out. RIP John, we will miss you. Frank and Betty, plus the few remaining pool players.
Brenda, you have our deepest sympathy, and I hope our prayers help you in your grief.
John and those pool players at the Ashland Senior Center of several years ago had awful good times together. Our breakfasts and tournaments were things that I will remember about John and so many others that have went on before him numbering twelve. Karl Blank was one of those that I speak of, had made a replica of a pool table top with bronze 2 and 1/2 inch tags that we inscribe with their names and year. I hope John will know that we have one on order for him. He was such a swell guy, but he was like me, when that cue ball didn’t go where it was supposed to there may be a profanity shouted out. RIP John, we will miss you. Frank and Betty, plus the few remaining pool players.
Brenda and family I was just floored when I saw the newspaper. My heart aches for all of you and your little doggie too. What a wonderful person John was. Peace to all of you.
I didn’t know your husband and you, but this news touched my heart when it came up on my Google alerts. I met also my husband through Big Brothers Big Sisters, and we are both mentors in the program. Thank you both for your service to the community. My prayers are with you.
My sincere sympathy to Brenda, family and friends for this tremendous loss. John was a super person and always so very kind to me. I hope everyone is doing ok during this very sad time. What a shock it was to read this in the paper. My prayers are with you all. Peace to all.
I’m so sorry to hear John passed. I really liked him. He was a good friend. Brenda, if there is anything I can do please ask. Luv ya.
My sincere condolences to all of John’s family and close friends in this time of sorrow and loss. I had the pleasure of working with John at the Callaway Energy Center for several years in the engineering department. He was always so professional, polite, and kind to others and treated fellow employees to gatherings at his beautiful home. As I often think of past co-workers, John is one I will never forget and will always be fondly remembered.
Brenda and family, our sincere condolences on your loss of a wonderful guy. John and I worked together at Callaway from the day he started in 1980 until his retirement. One of my fondest memories was our fishing trip to Lake Tanicoma in pursuit of trout. The card playing and pranks were non stop and yes we did catch many trout! I always appreciated John calm approach to addressing Nuclear challenges, his daily support and his friendship. He will be dearly missed.
I was sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was very good to me way back when. When I was trying to find a job to fit into here at Callaway, John told me that I could do this, I would be good at this, just shut up and take the job. I did, and have been blessed by a long career at Callaway. I will retire next year from the best job I have ever had. Thank you, John, and rest in peace. God bless you.
To John, as a member of the big brother big sister program you touched a lot of lives especially mine. Growing up without a dad I needed a father figure growing up and you were there. All the fishing and swimming and friends coming over having a great time, and of course the golf. You taught me a lot about life and how to live it happy and having fun. Rest in peace you will be greatly missed, I only wish we could have sat down had a drink sometime to catch up and to tell you all the exciting events happening. I now have a son that I know you would have loved. To Brenda, I’m so sorry for your loss you were a very lucky person to have met and been so happy with such a great person thank you for everything you have done for me
My deepest sympathies to Brenda and all of the family and friends that will miss John’s presence in this world. But, Heaven has a new happy warrior and it heartens me to know that those I have lost will be welcoming a true gentleman through the pearly gates. John was and, in many respects, still is my mentor; professionally in the engineering field and morally in the broader world. I will forever cherish the times we spent together whether at work or play. Merely thinking back on those times brings a smile to my face and recognition of how lucky I am to have crossed paths with such a man.
We would like to offer our sincere condolences to the McGraw family. I was fortunate to have worked with John at Callaway. John always brought a can-do spirit and professionalism to everything he did. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family. May God bring you comfort and peace. Mike & Jill Evans
Dr. Woods, Sorry to hear the news about John. He was always a tremendous help in the front office at Progressive Spine Care. He pulled several pranks and jokes just to keep things lively in the office. Bernard & I also remember the wonderful Christmas parties you both held and the wonderful food you made. You both opened up your home and showed us all your beautiful paintings that you had collected from your vacations. John will be dearly missed! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family! Rest in Peace John!
Ron and family, I am so very sorry to read of your dad’s passing. The picture/video tribute was beautiful. Know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Sandy Kaufmann