In memory of

David McGraw

Jul 3, 1965
Feb 2, 2017

Obituary

David Eugene McGraw, died from natural causes at his home in West Salem, Oregon on February 2, 2017.

David was born on July 3, 1965 in Middletown, Ohio to the proud and devoted parents of Jeffrey and Janice (Lykins) McGraw. He was an intelligent, dignified and loyal son, brother, uncle and employee. His sister, Lori McGraw, was a lifelong advocate for and protector of her brother. Her husband, Paul Schreiner, and their sons, Adam Schreiner-McGraw (Maritza Sandoval Aguilar) and Jeffrey Schreiner-McGraw (Annette Marinello) were his faithful supporters.

David was one of the first students with a disability to be mainstreamed into the regular public school classroom in Rockford, Illinois during the early 1970s. He and his parents navigated through school systems that were often ill-equipped to serve students with disabilities. At one point, his mother had to threaten legal action to secure high school physical education classes for him. He graduated from Southwestern High School in Hanover, Pennsylvania. He continued his studies at Edinboro University, a nationally renowned school for supporting students with disabilities. During his time there, he was an avid collegiate athlete, competing in wheelchair basketball, field events and weight lifting. He narrowly missed representing the United States at the 1988 Paralympics Games in Seoul, Korea. He graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice.

David was a voracious reader of history and he earned a Masters of Government from Lehigh University in 1990. After graduation, he worked for Electronic Data Systems from 1996 to 2003 as a Customer Service Representative. The position that meant the most to him, though, was his Support Specialist position at the Oregon Department of State Lands. He served there from 2007 to 2017. He never missed a day of work, even when he had to have his wheelchair towed out of a snow bank in a blizzard. He found a kind and supportive group of colleagues who enriched his life, particularly in his final years.

David followed his family to Oregon so that he could share his life with them. He loved attending Oregon State basketball games with his parents and nephews, yelling at the coach from the wheelchair section (so the coach could actually hear him). He cheered for his nephews during their running careers and he enjoyed going out to eat with his family. He adored dogs and he was a loving companion to all of his family’s pets. He was stubborn and sometimes challenging. He lived his life the way he wanted to live it, and our hearts are broken.

Service Information

Celebration of Life
 Saturday, April 1st 2017 @ 1 p.m.
Johnson Funeral Home
134 Missouri Ave S Salem, OR 97302

Gallery

Messages of Sympathy

  1. Sue Nelson says:

    For the past 2 years David and I worked in cubicles next to each other at the Dept. of State Lands (DSL). We were both excited to learn that we shared a Midwest background, both of us living in, or near, Rockford, Illinois at different times in our lives. I really miss David. He had a great sense of humor that I especially enjoyed. I want to offer my sympathy to his whole family and please know that he is well remembered here at DSL.

  2. Lori Bogosian says:

    Although I am a fairly new employee at the Oregon Department of State Lands my interaction with David was always a good experience. He was a valuable team member and asset to all of us. I will cherish my last memory of him laughing and turning what could have been a negative experience into a positive one with his approach to the situation. He will be sorely missed around here. My prayers and thoughts to his family and may he rest in peace.

  3. April Gomez says:

    My heart goes out to your family. I will miss him dearly and miss our daily "Good Mornings". May your family have peace at this difficult time.

  4. Randall Sounhein, DSL GIS Coordinator says:

    Wonderful gentleman. Proud to have worked with him, and shared so many laughs with him over the years. God bless you my friend ...

  5. Nancy Russelo Miller says:

    Janice and Jeff, David sounds like a wonderful young man who lived life to the fullest. You are blessed to have had him. I know he will be greatly missed by all. Treasure all your many memories.

  6. Carolyn Bakondi says:

    I'm so sorry for your loss, Janice & Jeff. My prayers are with you.

  7. Brenda & Jerry Pierce says:

    Janice - so so sorry for the loss of David. Sounds like an amazing man ! May you find comfort in all your sweet memories

  8. Paulette McGraw Elam says:

    My heart goes out to Daves entire family, may the God of all comfort give you peace.

  9. Dave and Linda(Butch) says:

    Our prayers are with you guys

  10. Johnson Funeral Home Staff says:

    Thank you for trusting Johnson Funeral Home. The love David's family has for him is abundantly clear. May all the family find the peace and comfort they seek at this difficult time.

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