E. Dale McGraw

Dale was born on the McGraw family farm in Scotia, Nebraska on June 23, 1927. He was the first son of Edwin and Della (Batchelor) McGraw. Later that year, the family moved to Madison, Wisconsin. While growing up in Madison, Dale was involved with the Boy Scouts of America. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1942. Dale also received an award from the American Red Cross in 1944 for saving a woman from drowning. This award was signed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Dale, along with his sisters and brother moved to Huntingburg, Indiana in 1944. After graduating from Huntingburg High School in 1945, Dale joined the U.S. Army. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He served in Germany with the 3rd Division and in Italy with the 88th Division.

After the war, Dale enrolled at the University of Wisconsin. He transferred to Anderson College in 1948. On December 18, 1949 he married Ramona (Mickie) Barnes whom he met at Anderson College. Dale graduated from Anderson College in 1952.

In 1952, Dale followed in the steps of his father Edwin by joining the Boy Scouts of America as a professional scouter. He served in various locations throughout the country: Southern Indiana; Jackson, Michigan; Albion, Michigan; Grass Lake, Michigan; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Munster, Indiana; Long Valley, New Jersey and Grand Rapids, Michigan. He worked for the BSA for 30 years. While working for the Boy Scouts in Ann Arbor, Dale received his Master’s Degree in counseling from the University of Michigan. He was also employed as an instructor at the National Executive Institute at Schiff Scout Reservation in New Jersey. He retired from scouting in 1982.

After retiring from the Boy Scouts, Dale began work on his Doctorate degree. He received his Doctor of Philosophy degree from Michigan State University in 1982. He also worked during this time as a counselor for the Grand Rapids Public Schools at the Job corp.

Dale “officially retired” in 1996 when he and Mickie moved to Florida. While living in Venice, Florida, they became very active members of the Venice First Church of God.

Dale moved back to Michigan in October, 2015 so he could be nearer to his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his children; Daletta (Tom) Payne, David McGraw and Joe (Jennifer) McGraw. Also surviving are his siblings; Norman (Sue) McGraw and Lowella Stinson. His surviving grandchildren are, Jared (Lauren) McGraw, Erik McGraw and Stephen McGraw.

Dale was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Mickie; his daughter, Karen, his grandson Ethan; his parents Edwin and Della; his sister, Eleanor; and his canine buddies, Tigger and Bucky.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, in care of Ethan (Quick Draw) McGraw’s account.