Charles E. McGraw

Charles E. McGraw, Jr. of Blairsville, Georgia.

Charles E. McGraw, Jr., of Blairsville, Georgia, died on Sunday, April 5, 2015 following an extended illness related to Agent Orange exposure during his tour of duty in Vietnam with the U.S. Army from 1966-1968. Mr. McGraw was a member of the Bogart United Methodist Church, Bogart, Georgia.

Mr. McGraw is survived by wife Allyson McGraw of Blairsville; son John McGraw (Tracie), grandsons Michael and Mark of Gainesville, Georgia; son Troy McGraw ((Karen) of Gainesville, Georgia; granddaughters Miranda and Josie McGraw and their mother Jane B. McGraw of Baldwin, Georgia.

Also surviving are brother William Thomas (Bill) McGraw of Watkinsville, Georgia , nieces Marisa (Rusty) Estes and their sons Anderson and Dax of Watkinsville, Georgia; Megan(David) McClure and their daughters Ella and Ashley of College Station, Texas.

Surviving also are sister Susie Kilgore Bruce of Comer, Georgia and nieces, Shelby Bruce and Michelle B. Cahoon and family of Comer.

Mr. McGraw was predeceased by his parents Helene Harber and Charles E. McGraw Sr. of Bogart, Georgia along with his maternal and paternal grandparents.

Following his graduation from Oconee County High School in Watkinsville, Georgia, he held jobs as a service station attendant, picking cotton at DeKalb Farms in Oconee County and working for his father at Athens Venetian Blind Services.

Mr. McGraw served his country in the U.S. Army assigned to the 525th Quarter Master Company being honorably discharged in 1968. His military medals and awards included National Defense Services Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and M-14 Sharpshooter Device Medal.

Charles was recently honored by friends Yvonne and Rick Redd with a "Quilt of Valor" presented to him in August, 2014. This quilt has been proudly displayed in their home and will also be displayed as part of the celebration services of Mr. McGraw's life.

After his military service Mr. McGraw returned to the Athens, Georgia area with his family and worked with Utilities Construction , Pike Electrical , Remington Arms Company, and Athens Lock and Key Service. In 1984, he and Allyson relocated to Blairsville, Georgia establishing Appalachian Locksmith Service which he later sold and retired from because of health issues in 2005. The locksmith business became a family business when sons John, Troy and wife Allyson worked side by side with Charles.

Charlie's hobbies included collecting and studying historical artifacts, trout fishing, hunting, camping especially in the North Georgia mountains. He also had a passion for antique cars. He, Allyson and a close friend also co-authored a book about his favorite hobby in 2011.

Charlie loved spending time with family and friends celebrating holidays and birthdays using his culinary/grilling talents. Charlie and his brother Bill learned all about barbecuing chicken as they worked with their father and uncles at Bogart United Methodist Church fundraisers. In his retirement years he enjoyed spending time with family and friends as he and Allyson (along with Yoda) traveled around the southern U.S. in their RV and Jeep. Allyson and Charlie were married in 1975 sharing their adventures including seeing the Todd Dahlia Farm at Suches in full bloom and an Opening Day trout fishing adventure at Boggs Creek Recreational Area here in the North Georgia Mountains.

Visitations will be held on Tuesday evening, April 7th, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. and again on Wednesday, April 8th - 2 hours prior to the services which are set for 2 p.m. in the chapel of the Cochran Funeral Home in Blairsville, Georgia. Burial will be in Memory Gardens, Blairsville, Georgia with military honors.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville. Please share your condolences and fond memories with the family on our website, www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.