Randee McGraw

PEKIN - Randee T. McGraw, 61, of Pekin, Ill., passed away at 7:55 p.m. Thursday, May 23, 2013, at Valley Hospital in Las Vegas, Nev.

Randee was born on Jan. 6, 1952, in Pekin, Ill. His parents were Walter and Mabel McGraw. He married Sharon Conklin on July 21, 2011, in Reno, Nev.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Surviving are his wife, Sharon of Pekin; one brother, Mike (Debbie) Simpkins of Pekin; one sister, Sue (Tracy Davis) York of Green Valley, Ill.; service dog, Kenu; loving pets, extended family and friends.

Randee was a veteran of the United States Marines, serving during the Vietnam War.

He loved riding his motorcycle in the desert with his service dog, Kenu, in the side car.

He had a strong love of music, preferably loud.

He was a lifetime member of the Agent Orange Health Club. He was a member of the VFW, American Legion and the Dinosaurs Group. He was a retired chaplain of the Warrior of Brotherhood Veterans Motorcycle Club.

Randee was more interested in living wide than living long.

Randee retired as the administrative director of the Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery in 2009, where he had been employed since Nov. 15, 1979. He was a pioneer in the treatment of clients diagnosed with substance dependence, mental illness and process addictions since 1978. He facilitated family interventions since 1978 and was a certified ARISE Interventionist, trainer and supervisor for the ARISE model of intervention.

Randee was instrumental in the development and implementation of many innovative programs, including the first comprehensive adult and adolescent pathological gambling treatment programs in Illinois; a consultation service to develop and implement treatment for pathological gambling in other agencies and hospitals; a treatment program for family members or concerned persons of people diagnosed with addiction; a treatment program for adult children of addicts and survivors of childhood trauma; a comprehensive treatment program for all process addictions; a gambling counselor training program and the Family Meeting Approach to Interventions training program.

Randee provided national and international leadership as the president of the American Compulsive Gambling Counselor Certification Board, president of the Association of Intervention Specialists and president of the Association of Intervention Specialist Credentialing Board.

Funeral services will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, 2013, at Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory, 2131 Velde Drive, Pekin. The Rev. Judy Doyle will be officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Interment will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 12, at Rock Island National Cemetery, with military honors provided by the United States Marines.

Memorial contributions may be made to Soldier's Best Friend (service dogs for vets).

Randee's memorial tribute may be viewed and condolences made at www.hendersonfuneralcare.com.