Page created by: Christie McGraw

James Michael McGraw (March 26th, 1945 - October 30th, 2022). James grew up in Detroit, Michigan. He was the son of Sheldon McGraw (deceased) and Rosemary Leszczynski McGraw (deceased). He also shared a loving relationship with his siblings John McGraw (deceased), Rosemary Pahl (deceased), Bill McGraw (deceased), and Anne Miller. He leaves behind his beloved wife (Sharon McGraw), his daughter (Christie McGraw), and his grandson (JJ McGraw).
James graduated from the University of Detroit and received his MBA at the University of Michigan. This experience made him a true blue Michigan fan and propelled him towards his future career as a CPA. After graduate school, he was drafted into the Vietnam War where he earned several medals including the Purple Heart. After the war, he worked for Fruehauf Corporation and became the Executive Vice President of Fruehauf International. For this job he traveled regularly to 22 countries all over the world. He was a hardworking, charismatic, driven person. Once he retired from corporate life, he found fulfillment in teaching college level finance courses.

James was a perfect combination of grit, humor, and charm. He was always the first one to tell a joke. To raise a glass to cheers to the day and to those he gathered around a table with. These qualities saw him through his war with Parkinson’s Disease. This was a war he relentlessly fought. He never missed a boxing class, a Sunday church service, or an opportunity to see his daughter and grandson when he came home to Michigan from Arizona every summer. He lived fiercely and loved fiercely. His energy and persistence was evident in everything he did. Even more admirable, he found joy in each day. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and got to sit around a table with him to listen to his stories.