Walter McRae Jr.

Mr. McRae was a true 4th generation Floridian through and through. His Father, Walter Alexander McRae, was born in Wildwood, Florida on December 2, 1885. His Mother, Jennie Lynch Cross McRae, was born in Bryceville, Florida on February 18, 1898 and along with his great love for his family, he loved his city, its great natural beauty, and the beautiful scene of the St. Johns River and five bridges that he could see outside his bedroom window. In his low-key, optimistic way, he was continually behind the scene of many civic projects he thought valuable for his city. His favorite expressions were “Let’s Go!”, “What do you need?” and “What can I do you for?” Consequently, many leaders sought his help early on when they needed enthusiastic, positive support. Through the years his counsel was sought by many, and this led to continuing interesting undertakings, even in his early years.

He was born and grew up in the Riverside/Avondale area. Friends of this era were Mac Evans, Mark Hulsey and Norris Farnell. He became an Eagle Scout, and throughout his life was a great supporter of the scouting program.

In 1927 he attended Mrs. Bucklan’s famous kindergarten on Oak Street, along with Dick Lake, George Whitner, Charlie Towers, Billy Frazier, Tassie Russell, Katherine Register, Seldon Kirby Smith, and his sister Josie Bozard, to name a few. He went on to West Riverside Elementary School, then to John Gorrie. He went to Lee High School (the famous class of 1940). He played football at Lee High, becoming a strong defensive right guard. The highlight of his career was that even though he was a defensive player he happened to catch a misfired forward pass and ran down the field to make the touchdown! Other friends and members of this era were Tiger Holmes and Bryant Skinner. He went on to the University of Florida as the class of 1944, was a member of Phi Delta Theta, and again played varsity football. He was a football letterman in 1941 and 1942- was elected to the Student Athletic Council, elected to the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, joined the ROTC, and graduated after the war with Honors in 1947 with a BS-BA degree. He was inducted into service at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in 1942, where he had his basic training in 1943. He entered Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill in Oklahoma in 1944, and was commissioned 2nd Lt. Field Artillery July 8, 1944 at Fort Sill. As 1st Lt. he was sent to California to board a troop ship headed for the invasion of Japan. Just short of Japan he was saved by the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. After several years in the Philippines as a Field Officer he returned home on a large troop ship. Among the thousands of troops on board was Patrick Williams, who though they didn’t know each other, many years later became close friends and were members of the Monday Prayer Group, along with Jim Winston, Prime Osborne and John Buchanan. During the post war years Mr. McRae became a visionary who loved his city, always working behind the scenes.

After the war he returned to Jacksonville, finished college in 1947, and joined the Duval Ford Dealership to follow in the footsteps of his father, Walter Alexander McRae, a greatly admired and beloved public citizen, who gave him full rein to learn from his early learning mistakes and successes. His brother-in-law and lifetime beloved friend and partner Jack Scott, husband of his sister, Jane McRae Scott, joined the firm, and their friendship lasted 50 years until Mr. Scott’s death in 1997. At his Father’s death in 1966 Mr. McRae took over the reins of leadership of Duval Ford. Mr. McRae (always the visionary) foresaw the decline of the downtown automotive environment, and made the bold move to Cassett Avenue. Many dealers then followed suit, and consequently Cassett Avenue became the very successful “Automotive Row”. Mr. McRae began to recognize the value of multiple dealerships, and incredibly his first acquisition was Honda Motor Cars- very small cars with tiny wheels, one step removed from a motorcycle. The first model was almost laughable, and Walter asked his manager Ernie Kopp “what are we going to do with them?” Ernie said “put them on the Duval Ford floor and sell them!” Thus Duval Ford became the first Honda dealership in Jacksonville, one of the earliest in the country to acquire one of the most valuable franchises in the U.S. In 1977 his son-in-law Henry “Tip” Graham was invited to join the business, and over time became the 3rd generation of leadership. Over the years Scott-McRae Group grew to over 800 employees, and includes 10 automotive dealerships, a fiancé company, and an advertising firm.

Mr. McRae achieved business success as former President of Ford Dealer Merchandising, Southeast Region, and President of Dealers Advertising Fund of Florida, Vice Chairman of the Ford Dealer Council. Mr. McRae, again following in his father’s footsteps, who was a close friend of Frank Norris, President of the Barnett Bank, became a lifetime director of the Barnett Bank Board, always working behind the scenes to make things happen. At this time he became close friends with his dear buddy Martin Stein, who he called “Toonus.” Martin sought his advice as a participant in the late development of regency properties, and as a friend who was always planning wonderful trips to Europe which included a 25 years ownership of a lease with 15 friends of a London Townhouse in Mayfair.

In 1969 Mr. McRae married Elizabeth Grimes McRae, formerly of Raleigh, North Carolina, who was working as Interior Designer ASID for McCullough and Baker. Mrs. McRae attended St. Mary’s Episcopal College in Raleigh, North Carolina, Hollins College, and graduated from the University of North Carolina. Mr. & Mrs. McRae had almost 42 loving years together. Their lives were enriched by a wonderful family – Walter’s 3 daughters Diane McRae Graham (husband Henry “Tip” Graham), Patricia McRae Washington (husband Ray Washington), Glory McRae Bowen of Mt. Lakes, New Jersey, and a son Walter Clay McRae.

Loving children’s projects, he became Campaign Chairman of the Jacksonville Museum of Art & Science (now MOSH). He loved his church, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, and became Junior Warden & Senior Warden. At this time he nicknames “Horner”. This wonderful friend always included life-long memorable trips with family down the full length of the Grand Canyon rapids and an adventure-filled Photographic Safari of Africa.

In the 1970’s he became involved with the Chamber of Commerce and its Committee of 100. He was a member of the Community Relations Commission, served as Vice Chairman of the Committee of 100, and was President of the Chamber of Commerce in 1974. He was Chairman of Strike Force, a group that included Bobby Stein, J.E. Davis, Lewis Libby and Heb Peyton that worked with State Attorney Ed Austin and Florida’s Attorney General Janet Reno. This group was awarded the Furtherance of Justice Award by the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, in recognition of outstanding contributions in the Betterment of the Administration of Justice and Law Enforcement for the State of Florida.

As a close friend of Fran Kinne (whom he called “Sparkle Plenty”) he became a long time member of the Board of Trustees of Jacksonville University. He was also recipient of the Citizen of the Year Award from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Department in 1988 in appreciation for dedicated service for Law Enforcement.

Because of his love of Jacksonville and dedication to the quality of government in Jacksonville, Mr. McRae was gradually drawn into the world of politics. When his friend Ed Austin decided to run for Mayor, Mr. McRae became his Finance Chairman, and had the thrill, the evening of the election, watching the numbers and finding (not until the next day) that they had succeeded in electing Ed Austin by one of the narrowest of margins. When Mayor Austin completed his “Jacksonville Renaissance” he decided not to run for re-election, and everyone began to look for his successor. John Delaney wanted to run for States Attorney, but was finally persuaded (after first refusing to run) and started the campaign with one of the lowest name recognitions on record. However, with Bobby Stein and Herb Peyton and many other prominent businessmen his numbers began to rise and Mr. McRae again became Finance Chairman. Again, there was a harrowing campaign, with victory as the result. Mr. McRae had the great satisfaction of helping elect 2 of the finest administrations in recent history.

“You really can’t talk about Jacksonville for the last 40, 50 years, write a history of it, without mentioning Walter McRae” said former Mayor John Delaney.

Mr. McRae continued to be a generous and strong supporter of St. Mark’s Day School and Episcopal High School, and became Honorary Trustee Emeritus of Episcopal High School.

Mr. McRae was a highly respected and admired business leader and received as a final tribute in 2002 the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award.

Mr. McRae’s grandsons, Alexander McRae Graham and Hampton Harris Graham have joined the Scott-McRae family business, and will continue to carry on the sterling reputation of the 94-year old business.

Mr. McRae, who retired as Chairman Emeritus, is survived by his wife Elizabeth Grimes McRae, his daughters Diane McRae Graham (husband Henry “Tip” Graham, deceased), Patricia McRae Washington (husband Ray Washington), Glory McRae Bowen, and his son Walter Clay McRae, and grandchildren Katie Graham Forde (Mark), Alexander McRae Graham (Caroline), Hampton Harris Graham (fiancé Cheree Suttles), Adams McRae, T.J. Bowen, Glory Bowen, Derick Bowen, and 1 great-grandchild Luke Brinton Graham.

Mrs. McRae wishes to thank Mr. McRae’s caregivers who were so loving and kind during his recent illness—Ramona Ramos, Jennifer White, Veasna Sum, Lea Spradlin, and Claudette Floyd.

Funeral services will be on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at 11:30 AM at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 4129 Oxford Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida.

Pallbearers are: The Honorable Ed Austin, The Honorable John Delaney, Lawrence M. Matheny, Jr., Bruce D. Ivey, Stewart R. Geiger, William R. Frazier, David C. Hodges, Jr., Cleveland T. Farnell, Robert L. Stein, Albert D. Ernest, Jr., James H. Winston, Russell Newton, Jr., Mark Hulsey, Jr., Patrick M. Williams, Carl N. Cannon, Charles D. Towers, Jr., Ernest A. Kopp, Jr., Rogers B. “Tiger” Holmes, James Van Etten Bent.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to St. Mark’s Episcopal Day School, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church or Episcopal High School.

Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens Rivermead Funeral Home, 127 Blanding Blvd. Orange Park, FL. www.hardage-giddensrivermead.com