John Craige McGrath

Born August 13, 1925, he was the son of the late J.P. McGrath, Jr. and Marjorie Root McGrath, both of El Paso. After completing high school in 1943, Mr. McGrath underwent medical training at the Naval Hospital Station Balboa Heights, San Diego, California, and then served in the U.S. Navy Pacific Theatre as a medical corpsman for the Navy and Marine Corps. He was honorably-discharged in 1946.

Mr. McGrath attended the University of Wisconsin and Texas Western (UTEP), graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in business administration. After his schooling, he worked for several years for the former local general insurance agency, Wingo Insurance Group.

Since 1953, Mr. McGrath was owner of the J.P. McGrath Realty Company where he touched hundreds of families’ homes—overseeing the development, sale, and management of dwellings in subdivisions of Coronado Hills, Coronado Country Club Foothills, Thunderbird Valley, Crestmont, and Chaparrel Park. On the commercial side, he was also in charge of rentals, sales, and the leasing of major national chain stores, as well as local department stores.

As proud as he was of his work accomplishments, Mr. McGrath was equally gratified with his civic accomplishments in El Paso. As the person who helped charter the El Paso Chapter of the Institute of Real Estate Management, he was granted the only Emeritus designation from the Institute in the area of West Texas. He served the diocese of El Paso as a member of the St. Matthews, St. Patrick’s, and Queen of Peace Catholic Churches, and SERRA.

Both the Downtown Kiwanis and the Knights of Columbus honored Mr. McGrath with their respective 50-year membership awards. He was an officer and board member of the El Paso Historical Society, and remained a member for years.

Sports was another of Mr. McGrath’s favorite pursuits: He was inducted in 2004 into the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame and also served on the organization’s board and as an officer. For 31 years, he officiated at football, baseball, basketball, volleyball, softball (fast- and slow-pitch), soccer, and tennis games on the high school, college, semi-professional, and professional athletic levels throughout the U.S. “Many of these contests were on a national level,” Mr. McGrath explained, “and it is considered an honor to be selected for them.”

He was also a volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association and the Salvation Army, a retired board member of the Region-Nineteen Educational Service Center, and was a professionally-trained arbitrator under the instruction of the American Arbitration Association, working for the Rio Grande Council of Governments. Mr. McGrath was proud of the fact that he settled over 150 cases.

Mr. McGrath is survived by his daughter, Susan A. McGrath Mason; his son, James P. McGrath (Melissa), two grandsons, J.P. McGrath and Logan F. McGrath; and Dorothy H. McGrath. He was predeceased by his parents and his youngest daughter Emily A. McGrath who passed away in April 2002.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, April 26, 2017 from 5:00-9:00pm with a Vigil at 7:00pm. at Martin Funeral Home West. 128 N. Resler. A Mass will be held Thursday, April 27, 2017 at 11:00am at St. Patrick Cathedral 1118 N. Mesa with a Committal to follow at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery. 5200 Fred Wilson.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to Wounded Warriors or a charity of your choice.