Barbara Anette McCaw

Barbara Anette McCaw, age 85, of Grants Pass, died December 10, 2025 at Asante Three Rivers Medical Center.

Barbara was born October 23, 1940 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to James C. Dennis and Kathyleen W. (Peterson) Dennis. At a young age she moved with her family first to Los Angeles, California and then Merlin, Oregon where she grew up and attended schools. On December 22, 1955 she married Boyd Wayne Compton and together they had a daughter Kelly.

After a divorce, she married James McCaw on August 10, 1959 and together they had sons James McCaw Jr and Jarrod McCaw and Barbara gained a stepson Randy McCaw. Barbara was employed by Litton Guidance & Control Systems, where she held positions as a production control dispatcher and planner as well as a materials storeroom clerk, earning a reputation for reliability and attention to detail. She later worked as a lead sales associate at McLain’s Drug Center, where she enjoyed serving customers and being part of the community she loved. Volunteering and serving her community were extremely important to Barbara. Over the years she volunteered with Josephine County Sheriff's Department; Josephine County Adult Probation and Court Services; Boys & Girls Club; United Way (Board of Directors); Josephine County Criminal Justice System Management Work Group; Big Sister Program; Mining and Engineering Safety Administration; Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of America. She also served on many committees including the Josephine County Sheriff's Citizens Advisory; Dave Daniel for Sheriff Campaign; Josephine Commission on Children and Families; Dan Calvert for Sheriff Campaign; City of Grants Pass/Josephine County Clean Air; Jail Implementation and Planning; City of Grants Pass Air Pollution Control and Josephine County Citizens Jail. Her hobbies included reading, sewing and cooking. Barbara is survived by daughter Kelly Carter of Grants Pass; son Jarrod McCaw (Glenda) of Alvin, Texas; grandchildren Amanda Babcock (Wes), Emily Armstrong (Ben), Jason McCaw and Ashley Spence (Tyler); and great- grandchildren Leo Babcock, Theia Babcock, Natalie Babcock, August Babcock and Asa Armstrong. She was preceded in death by her parents; son James McCaw Jr; brother James Dennis; and stepson Randy McCaw. Remembrances may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project or Shriners Hospital.

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