Jimmy Jon McGraw

Jimmy J. McGraw, 83, of Fort Worth, passed away June 10, 2018. Jimmy was born in Borger on February 16, 1935 to Ben and Amye Johnson McGraw. Jim married Frances Ogden in Fort Sumner, NM on June 28, 1957.

Following high school graduation in Borger in 1954, Jim accepted a football scholarship from then Oklahoma A&M University. He played football there, completed two years of ROTC and became a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. In 1956 he transferred to Eastern New Mexico and earned a football scholarship. He met his wife of 61 years there. After spending some time with the New Mexico National Guard to keep from being drafted, he decided to transfer to West Texas State University where he could complete his degree as well as the requirements in ROTC to receive a commission in the U.S. Army. Jim was a career Army Officer and Pilot for 21 years and served two one-year combat tours in Vietnam where he received numerous commendations including the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Bronze Stars and 26 Air Medals. He retired as a Major in 1981 then continued a career in flying with Atlantic Southeast Airlines (then the Delta Connection). He retired in 1999 after serving nine years as Chief Pilot. Jim was a 32nd Degree Mason and Shriner, choosing to keep his membership in the King Solomon Lodge No. 5 in Tombstone, AZ. He was a member of the Sabbar Shrine Temple in Tucson, Arizona, Aloha Temple in Honolulu, Hawaii and Kareem Temple in Waco. During his Army career Jim and his family lived in New Jersey, ITALY, Alabama, North Carolina, New Mexico, Georgia, Arizona, and Hawaii. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Frances, son Kevin McGraw of McKinney, his wife, Nancy, and their three sons, Ben of Dallas, and Brad and Blake at home; Daughter Kathy Misek and fiancé Paul Benson of Crowley and her three sons, Mitch of San Marcos, Mike of Crowley, and Max and wife Tamara of Fort Wainright, Alaska.

Funeral arrangements include visitation at Laurel Land Funeral Home in Fort Worth at 7100 Crowley Road from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, June 18th. Interment will be at the National Military Cemetery in Dallas at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 19th followed by a Memorial Service at Laurel Land at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to make a donation may do so to the Shriners Children’s Hospital or the Alzheimer's Association.