My Friend Marvin C. "Jack" McGraw by Herk McGraw

MY FRIEND MARVIN C. “JACK” McGRAW

As well as I remember Jack was a short heavy set fellow. At least he was shorter than my dad. I guess I liked him because he was short like me. He was always laughing or smiling when I was around him. He seemed like a fun guy. He was a favorite around our house.

Mom bought me a army uniform when I was 6 or 7 years old. I was proud as punch and wore it all the time.

"Jack" in Milwaukee, WI, with his future wife Lois Wittemann.

Jack had joined Uncle Sam's Army and was home on leave. Whenever I saw him I would always salute and he would salute back. On this day, I was in my uniform in the front yard when I saw him coming down that old dirt road toward Ravencliff. We lived on the left side of the road and he had his left hand on the steering wheel. I jumped to attention with a salute. He had a great big smile and tried to salute me with his right hand and he couldn't get it where it should be with his head toward me so he saluted with his left hand. After he went back to camp I wrote him a letter, with Mom's help, and he answered it.

We had moved before he returned home and I never saw him again. But I will never forget the short little guy who saluted me. He was my friend.

That's my story and I am sticking to it.
Herk McGraw

(Administrator: Herk remembers Jack as a short fellow. The below picture was shared by "Mack" McGraw's son Gerald (Jerry). It was taken by his mother Rose and while we don't have a date we think it was taken in the 1950’s. Without looking at the list of people under the picture, can you guess which one in the picture is Jack?)

From left to right: Horace McGraw, G.C. "Jake" McGraw, Earl McGraw, Huey McGraw, Robert C. Byrd, Dennis Mack McGraw, Jack McGraw, Woodrow McGraw, and unknown.

An Article from the Raleigh Register about Jack's wartime exploits...

Jack admiring the hole shot out in the rudder above the windows where he sat.

Today In McGraw History - August 31, 1969

Today in McGraw History. . .

Michael "Mike" was the G Grandson of John & Mahala.

(Mike>Marvin "Jack">H.G. "Dad">John)

From The Raleigh Register - July 20, 1964

Today In McGraw History. . .

The Raleigh Register - July 20, 1964

46 Years Ago In McGraw History: Patty McGraw Dies In Car Accident

46 Years Ago In McGraw History

Patty was the GGranddaughter of John & Mahala.

(Patty>Marvin "Jack">H.G. "Dad">John)

Today in McGraw History: August 21, 1959

Today in McGraw History. . .

Horace Greeley (H.G.) "Dad" died on this date in 1959.

This is from the Mullens Advocate. We're running it today instead of next week which would have been the anniversary of it's being originally published.

His wife, Pearl McGinnis, died 3 years before him on May 3, 1956.

New From Our Website: 1944 - Mechanic Can Also Be Tail Gunner

From The Raleigh Register - Ocober 27, 1944

In the National Archives, we found copies of the

photographs taken by the 'man from London'

He sat with his head in the windows where he is standing.

Jack is the grandson of John & Mahala.

(Marvin 'Jack' > H.G. 'Dad' > John)

A message from Mike McGraw. . .

Jack McGraw loved our family reunion. He was the youngest son of H.G. "Dad" McGraw and had attended every reunion since it's beginning. He was "Secretary" of the now defunct McGraw Reunion Association. In his later years, Jack asked his son Mike to make sure that the reunion would go on. Mike promised that he would do all that he could. That was 28 years ago, and the reunion has continued on. For many years, it was Mike and his wife Patty along with his aunt, Rita McGraw, that worked together behind the scenes making sure we had a place for the reunion, that the reminder postcards were sent and that all of the other details taken care of. We lost Rita in 2004 and last fall we lost Mike, but their reunion, our reunion, continues on. We will remember Mike and others we lost over the past year in a memorial service at the reunion this Sunday. 

Back in 2008, Mike sent the following letter to everyone on the reunion mailing list. His words ring as true today as they did then. Since he can't be here to beat the drum, we thought that we would share his thoughts with you once again. . .

"Since this reunion began in the 1950's, it has been a way for families and friends to reconnect and stay in touch. In the 55+ years past, thousands have attended. It is time to reconnect with family.

As families progress in generations and move away, many family members have never lived here in the area where John and Mahalia settled, called home, and raised the children from whom many of us are direct descendants. Bring your family back, meet your "kin folks", and make that reconnection. Soon the numbers may fall to the point that a reunion of this sort is not feasible, but that is entirely up to us.

If nothing else, the food will be plentiful and great. Family trait, I guess!

We ask this year, that you think about doing a few things:

1. Encourage family members to attend - bring those young ones.
2. Bring COPIES of pictures of Grandparents, Parents, Self, Children, Etc. Please include names and dates so we can begin to compile a "family album" for future generations. If you cannot attend, simply mail copies of the pictures and information to us.
3. Bring the names of those who were born and died during the past year.
4. Bring COPIES of pictures of past reunions, especially those taken when the reunion was held in and outside of Milam Methodist Church and in the gym of John McGraw Grade School.

Folks, this is OUR reunion. If we haven't seen you in a while -- come back. If you've never been here before -- you are welcome to come. Make the effort, it will be well worth it. Bring a dish and plan to spend the day with family.

Please pass this information on to all that you think will be interested. Thanks and hope to see you soon.

Mike & Patty McGraw"