James Edmund McGraw

Dad and his sister, Lu, were born to James Joseph and Emma McGraw. They were raised on a 10 acre farm in Gresham. He picked straw and raspberries from age 5. They worked hard on the farm, but still had time to study and get excellent grades in school.He was a catcher on the Lusted Grade School baseball team. Dad continued his work ethics and graduated Co-Valedictorian at Gresham High School in 1939. Late that summer, shortly before attending the University of Oregon, he won a drawing for $200 on "bank night" at the local theater. But he wasn't without a mischievous side. In the same theater he and his friends would sneak in the back door and watch movies. Also, on Halloween outhouses in his area weren't safe from being tipped over by him and his friends.Times were tough in those days and on many occasions he hitch hiked to and from U of O. Many students would put a green "O" on the side of their suitcase and would normally get a ride quickly.He lived in a co-op at times while in school and sometimes rented an apartment with friends working part time in an office while taking a full schedule of classes. This is also when he began to learn the game of golf. However, in 1942 WWII interrupted college and he enlisted in the Coast Guard. He was trained off the coast of central and southern California as a quartermaster. The war ended just before they would have sailed to the South China Sea. Dad returned to U of O in 1946 and graduated with a Bachelor in Business in 1947. He got a job on the ship that went to Nagasaki, Japan as a pursuer for a few months. In 1948 he started his 37 year career at General Steam Ship Corporation where he me and married out mom in 1952. They raised 3 children, Jim, Doug, and Janet. He worked hard at his career, but always had time for his family (General Steamship Corp were agents for various ship lines throughout the world and would help arrange imports and exports of various products such as logs and grain). As the years passed he earned promotions and began to travel around the country and in Europe. His days of occasionally climbing rope ladders from tug to a ship in rough Columbia River bar conditions ended. In 1972 he was promoted to Assistant Vice-President of General Steamship and District Manager of the Portland office. When he and the Assistant District Manager, Holly Land, retired in 1985 there was a "roast" for them in which over 200 people attended. Captains of industry were the "roasters", but as one of them noted Dad and Holly good naturedly did most of the roasting. They were well loved. He was active in numerous maritime organizations including Columbia River Steamship Operators, Portland Shipping Club, Pacific Maritime Association, Japan Society of Oregon, and Pilotage Commission of Oregon. Dad and mom also owed condominiums in Hawaii, beach property, and a mountain cabin. Many wonderful experiences and memories were made as well as at home and on camping trips. We golfed, fished, hiked, dug clams, and snow skied. He loved to fish the north fork of the Coeur d'Alene River in Idaho. Our mom, Helen, passed away in 1981. They had a great life together and with us kids. He traveled still with friends around the world.In 1989 he met his high school sweetheart, Ardith Kidder at the 50th Gresham High reunion. She owned a condo in Palm Desert, CA and they spend every winter down there until her passing in 2009. They golfed frequently and he was a member of the Oasis Country Club where he got 2 in 1 over the years. Earlier, when working he was a member of the Astoria Country Club and Multnomah Athletic Club. He and his son, Doug, enjoyed playing golf annually in the Charbonneau Member-Guest Tournament for many years. Dad was an excellent golfer. Our Dad has many accomplishments in his life, but none better than a caring and loving husband, father, and friend. We have always been close to his sister, Lu, her husband, Wes, their kids, and grandkids. We will all remember our Dad with the love that he gave to us. Private Interment at Willamette National Cemetery with Military Honors

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James Edmund McGraw

July 10, 1921 - May 22, 2013