James Ward MCGRATH

MCGRATH, SMITH, FRUDEGER, WATKINS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/18/2007 at 17:13:44

Hawk Eye, Burlington, Iowa
December 1, 2001

James Ward McGrath, 84, of Keosauqua, died at 1:25 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, 2001, at Van Buren County Hospital in Keosauqua. Born March 15, 1917, in Eagle Grove, he was the son of Earl and Blanche Smith McGrath. On Aug. 28, 1940, he married Bette Frudeger in Burlington. Mr. McGrath practiced law in Keosauqua from 1945 until his retirement. He was a graduate of Eagle Grove High School and the University of Iowa College of Law with honors in 1941. He served in the Army Criminal Investigation Department in Europe from 1941 until 1945. He was Van Buren County Attorney for 16 years, counsel for the federal and state Selective Service Boards for 27 years, was a past president of Van Buren County Bar Association, a member of National District Attorneys' Association and a 55-year member of the Iowa Bar Association. He was a member of Keosauqua United Methodist Church and was a church trustee. He served as mayor of Keosauqua and as a member of the Keosauqua School Board. He and his wife were named Keosauqua Outstanding Citizens in 1974. He was president of Van Buren Development Association, Van Buren County Red Cross chairman for 40 years and a member of the Regional Red Cross Blood Services committee. He helped start the local water safety and blood donor programs. He served on the Van Buren County Board of Health, Van Buren County Centennial Committee, helped organize and was first president of Van Buren County Historical Society, was a Mason in Keosauqua Lodge No. 10, a member of Beer-Barker Post No. 113, American Legion, Farm Bureau, Isaak Walton League, Bentonsport Improvement Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Riverview Club tennis committee, was March of Dimes chairman for 11 years and received a citation for outstanding service. He was active in Van Buren Players, was a delegate to the state Republican convention in 1970 and was recognized for distinguished service to the Republican Party. He was an avid sportsman and an accomplished painter.

Survivors include his wife; three sons, J.W. McGrath of Keosauqua and Stephen McGrath and Mark McGrath, both of Idaho Falls, Idaho; one daughter, Martha Watkins of San Diego; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and one daughter. The body has been donated to the University of Iowa College of Medicine for research.

A memorial service for Mr. McGrath will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Keosauqua United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Ellis Andrews officiating. Burial will be in Fellows Cemetery in Keosauqua at a later date. The family will greet friends at the church following the service. Memorials have been established for Keosauqua United Methodist Church and Van Buren County Hospital. Pedrick Funeral Home in Keosauqua is in charge of arrangements.