Roy "Doc" McGraw, DVM

Dr. Roy Edward McGraw, Jr., son of Roy Edward, Sr. and Dorothy Leona (Stevenson) McGraw, was born on February 16, 1930, at Rockford, Illinois. He entered into eternal rest on Friday, February 17, 2012 at the Hospice with Heart facility in Glenwood, Iowa at the age of 82. Born and raised in Rockford, Roy attended the Rockford Community Schools, graduating from Rockford High School with the Class of 1947. Following graduation, he attended the University of Illinois for one year. In September of 1948, Roy enlisted in the Army Air Force and served at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska. Doc was a medical laboratory technician and surgical technician. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and was discharged in August of 1952 as a Staff Sergeant. It was during his time at Offutt that Roy met and married the love of his life, Wilma Lee "Mickey" McMillin. They were united in marriage on September 8, 1951 on the Offutt Air Force Base. To this union four children were born, Diana, Cheryl, Dean and Chuck. Upon receiving his honorable discharge in 1952, Doc enrolled at Iowa State University and received his degree in Veterinary Medicine in 1957. Doc ...[more]

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ked at the veterinary clinic in Creston for one year following graduation. In 1959, Doc moved his family to Essex where he went to work for Dr. Gene Lloyd until taking over his practice. He retired in 1996. Roy and Mickey then worked at Yellowstone National Park in 2000 for the next nine years for four months out of the year. Doc was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Essex and served as the Mayor of Essex for 12 years. He also hosted an informational Veterinary radio program on KMA for several years. In his spare time he enjoyed family gatherings, cooking, fishing, gardening, stamp collecting, wood working and bird watching. Preceding him in death were his parents; sister, Barbara Hamm; granddaughter, Jane Elder; and grandson, Brent Maher. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Wilma McGraw of Essex; four children, Diana Elder and husband Bill of Essex, Cheryl Tyner and husband Mick of Essex, Dean McGraw and wife Nancy of St. Louis, MO, and Chuck McGraw of Farragut; two brothers, Gary McGraw and wife Karen of Montrose, CO and Bob McGraw of Rockford, IL; other relatives and many friends. Memorials in Roy's name are being directed to the Hospice with Heart facility in Glenwood.