Raymond Lloyd Mcgath

Raymond Lloyd McGath, 93, of Poplar Bluff died Friday, July 6, 2012 at Mark Twain Caring Center in Poplar Bluff.

Mr. McGath was born June 8, 1919 in New Madrid, Mo., and was of the Baptist faith. A resident of Poplar Bluff since 1948, he had retired after 30 years from Missouri Natural Gas Co. as superintendent of construction and distribution. Mr. McGath served in the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp) in 1939, and was veteran of the U.S. Navy serving from 1940 to 1946. During this time he served as a signalman on many ships including the USS Texas and USS Atlanta for the entirety of the war. As a World War II veteran, he was a lifetime member of Amvets Post 29, where he served as a Commander and on numerous service committees as well. As a proud American and Veteran he rarely missed a Memorial Service for those who had been lost in the service of our Country. Mr. McGath was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed floating and fly-fishing on local rivers and lakes. He also enjoyed hunting for rabbits, doves and especially ducks, and took pleasure in sharing those experiences and introducing them to his children, grandchildren and friends. Mr. McGath was a prolific storyteller and shared stories with all who would listen of his wonderful life as a husband, father, brother, veteran and grandfather, as well as recounting his hardships of life as the son of a poor sharecropper in the Great Depression. In recent years he especially enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and most of all his grandchildren.

On May 6, 1945, he married Wilma Lucille Million in Poplar Bluff. She preceded him in death on May 6, 2003.

Survivors include three children, Dr. Rick McGath and wife, Penny of Poplar Bluff, Terry McGath and wife, Maxine of Purmela, Tex. and Mike McGath and wife, Mary of Apple Valley, Calif.; six grandchildren, Molly McGath, Davis McGath, Wesley McGath, Patrick McGath, Michael McGath and Tabitha Adams; three sisters, Margie Gray of St. James, Mo. and Martha Lavern Siebert and Jeanie Vines both of Wichita, Kans.; one brother, Robert McGath of Poplar Bluff; a special niece, Sandy (Love) Barks of Dexter, Mo.; and close friends, Nikki and Jimmy Davis of Poplar Bluff.

His parents, Rollie L. and Martha Evaline (Miller) McGath, sister, Ludia Love and brother, Rollie L. McGath Jr. also preceded Mr. McGath in death.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the funeral chapel with Pastor Kent Miller officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow in the Woodlawn section of the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery.