Rex Tracy McGraw Jr.

1930 - 2018

WAREHAM, Mass. - Rex Tracy McGraw, Jr., 87, of Wareham passed away on March 23, 2018, at Tobey Hospital in Wareham.

Born in Hornell, N.Y. in 1930, he was the son of the late Rex T. and Marie A. (Berg) McGraw.

Rex was raised in Arkport, N.Y. and graduated from Arkport Central High School. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and served during the Korean War.

Following his service in the Army, Rex attended Bowling Green State University, in Bowling Green, Ohio. He received his Bachelor and Master's degrees at Bowling Green State University. He earned his Doctorate in Theatre Arts at the University of Indiana. He taught at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. While there, he established an "MFA in Directing Degree." He later taught at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, where he was Head of Acting and Directing in the graduate school. He held this position until his retirement.

Upon retirement, Rex moved to Wareham, to be near his family. He was a member of the New Bedford Whaling Museum, the Zeiterion Theater, and the Marion Art Center. At the Marion Art Center he enjoyed directing plays, especially the works of Chekhov.

Rex is survived by his brother, Jack (Jaquie) McGraw of Mattapoisett, Mass.; his nephews, J. William (Jean) McGraw of Fort Mill, S.C., their children, Stephanie (Arnas) Bendoriatas, and Christopher McGraw, Mark (Paula) McGraw of Mattapoisett, and their children, Michael, Patrick, Kate and Andrew, Matthew (Sharon) McGraw of Fairhaven, and their children, Luke and Roy; his niece, Marie-Elizabeth McGraw Lemire and her children, Jack and Claire.

Rex's visiting hours will be held on Saturday, April 7 from 3-4:30 p.m., followed by a Celebration of his Life from 4:30-5 p.m. in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Route 6, Mattapoisett.

For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.