Wood McGraw

Woodson “Wood” Wallace McGraw, Jr., 82, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, went to be with the Lord on Monday, December 9, 2024. He was born on August 21, 1942.

Wood is survived by his loving wife, MarEva McGraw, his brother Mick (Cheryl) McGraw and sister Nancy (Glenn) Thompson; his former wife Eloise Austin and their children Emily (Cliff) Whalin, Scott McGraw and Melissa (Bryan) Pope, and stepsons Blake (Beca) Gordon and Dylan Gordon (Jenna Brumleve); his grandchildren Ben (Emily Rose), Catherine, Maggie and Harrison; step-grandchildren Ava and Andy, and great-grandson Noah. 

Wood was the son of Mary and Woodson McGraw, Sr. and grew up in Louisville’s South End. He graduated from Manual High School in 1960 where he won the prestigious Mitre Award, presented to a senior who excelled in athletics, scholarship, character and school spirit. He played baseball, basketball and football at Manual. His ambition in high school was to go to college and be a success. After he graduated high school, he went to work for the Kentucky Highway Department where he worked each summer in college.

He earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Kentucky in 1964 and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering at UK in 1966 where he studied soil mechanics. He was one of the first freshmen at UK to receive a four-year tennis scholarship. He also briefly practiced with the UK basketball team. He was initiated into several honor societies including Chi Epsilon and Tau Beta Pi.

Wood was a hard worker. He worked for the Corps of Engineers for three years helping design dams, including a cofferdam that stretches across the Ohio River and the dam at Taylorsville Lake. He formed a company on the side to help bring in extra income. During this time, he helped design the Paoli Peaks ski lodge and performed perc tests throughout Oldham County. 

He enjoyed a 46-year career as a civil engineer with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Louisville office achieving the title of chief of architecture, engineering and cost. He was most proud of his work designing housing for the elderly. He was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers where he served as president one year. He also served on the board of The Coalition for the Homeless and became chairman.

Wood dedicated his life to the game of tennis. He was consistently ranked in the top two of the state for his age and won numerous state age tournaments in singles and doubles. His highest ranking was number six in doubles in the nation. He was an avid nationally ranked tennis player until just two years ago, winning numerous tournaments throughout the Southeast. In addition to his work at HUD, he served as the boys’ tennis coach at South Oldham High School for 20 years where the team recorded 220 wins. He leaves behind a legacy of eight regional titles and a pair of state runner up finishes. One of his students won the Kentucky High School Athletic Association tennis championship four years in a row. Wood later became a certified tennis professional and was nominated for the Kentucky Tennis Hall of Fame.

Wood loved spending time with family and took great pride in his children and grandchildren. He could consistently be seen cheering them on the sidelines of countless sporting events and recitals. He could also be found cheering at numerous UK football and basketball games. He published a children’s book based on his dog, Lille. He also enjoyed reading, nice clothes (he was always a sharp dressed man), gardening, flower design, traveling and leading Bible study in his home and church.

Visitation will be Friday, December 20, 2024 from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home, 235 Juneau Drive in Middletown. A celebration of life service will be planned in the spring. Expressions of sympathy can be sent to The Parkinson's Foundation or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

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