Richard McGraw

Richard Herbert McGraw, age 88, passed away February 13, 2012. He was born to Herbert and Marian McGraw in Detroit, MI. In 1943, he gained his wings as a naval aviator before becoming an F6F Hellcat fighter pilot and a member of the aircraft carrier USS Essex's "Fabled Fifteen" air group, which participated in many major air battles in the Pacific including the Marianas Turkey Shoot and battles in the Philippines and Leyte Gulf. For his efforts he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He married Mary Louise Kimball in 1945 at the Long Beach, CA Naval Air Station. After the war, he graduated with a BA degree from Wayne University. He became CEO and President of Kimball & Russell, Inc., where he led the company for 50 years. He served on the Bloomfield Hills Board of Education from 1963-1969, serving as President for four of those years. He became President of the National Sash & Door Jobbers Association in 1971 and served on the planning commission for Tyrone Township. Dick was known by all to be a man of great integrity and ethics. He was an animal lover who is also remembered for his wit and sense of humor. He is survived by his beloved wife Mary Louise, his brother Tom, and sister Mary King-Christianson. His brother Jim predeceased him. He is survived by his four children: David, Darcey Sevo, Stephen, and Brian; his eleven grandchildren: Margaret, Kristina, Laura, Erik, Erin, Alex, Julia, Sean, Whitney, Sloan, and Mackenzie; and four great-grandchildren: Evan, Miles, Quinn, and Sadie. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity or The Humane Society. Memorial Service on May 7, 2012 at Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills at 11 a.m. Arrangements by Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, Royal Oak, 248-541-7000, www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com.