Kenneth Eugene Mcgraw

Ken McGraw passed away on October 15, 2010 after many years of reduced health. Ken was born on September 6, 1940 in St. Elmo, Illinois, to Juanita Hornbrook, nee Washburn and Frank McGraw. He spent his younger years growing up in Tucson, Arizona with his two brothers, Don and Keith. After completing his undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering at the University of Arizona, Ken worked briefly for Lockheed Missile and Space in Lompoc, California. It was here that he met his wife, Jane Sachie McGraw, nee Okinishi. Ken received his Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering at California State University, Los Angeles. Most of his working career was for NASA at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.

Ken is survived by his wife, daughter Tanya Sanae Ferguson, son-in-law Toby Ferguson and grandchildren Isaac Robert and Eva Jane.

Ken was very proud of his job as a rocket scientist and went back to school late in life to complete his Ph.D. in Engineering at the University of Southern California. Ken was an avid reader who enjoyed classic literature ranging from Mark Twain to John Steinbeck. He also loved to talk and figure out all the world's problems with his friends. After he retired, he developed a love of teaching and discovered he was a gifted teacher to many students at Yavapai College in Cottonwood, Arizona.

The last years of his life were spent traveling extensively with his wife of 47 years. Their recent excursions found them cruising through the Panama Canal, around Cape Horn, and to Hawaii, the Caribbean and Alaska. While his death came suddenly, he ended his life after recently returning to the Greek Islands, a trip he enjoyed while in the company of his wife and close family friends.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00AM, Saturday, October 23, 2010 at Greer's Mortuary of Sedona, 2725 W. Highway 89A.