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James McGrath Obituary
Beloved and respected local rancher, surfer, and cowboy, a man of his faith and fifth generation Californian, was called home to our Heavenly Father on November 12, 2020. James Joseph McGrath, husband, father, brother, cousin, and friend will be remembered and missed by all. He is well known for his love of family, farming, surfing, animals, horseback riding, driving mule carriages, barbequing, deep sea fishing, piano playing as well as his witty humor. He was a life-long member of Paso Robles Trail Riders and Rancheros Adolfo. He is survived by his wife Margo, sons Jason and wife Paula, Tyronne and partner Sharon, daughter Makala and husband Chris and their four children McKenna, Cailyn, Jack and Liam, as well as siblings Mary, David and partner Dianna, Stephen and Martin and wife Sheila, many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is proceeded in death by his loving parents Joseph and Miriam McGrath. Celebration of life for Jim will be announced at a later date. We will always remember Jim's sense of humor and many life quotes like his favorites, "wherever you go, there you are" and dinner prayer, "no wars, no fights, no bad guys."
In commemoration of Jim, please make a tax deductible donation to One Spade Youth Packers. Please make checks payable to: One Spade Youth Packers.
Addressed to: Reid and Eileen Hopkins, 9765 Sierra Way, Kernville, Ca 93240.
https://onespadeyouthpackers.org
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James McGrath
John Ramirez
August 14, 2025
Dear Mary Margo and family,
I still miss the kind easy way way Jim always had. He ways kind to all, one of his home room compadres at Santa Clara
Class of 68
Chris Maloney
November 12, 2024
4 years has passed by since you went to heaven Jim, and we still think about you every day. I hope you are up there taming the good Lord´s mules and riding through heaven´s beautiful countryside on a mule-pulled wagon. R.I.P. Keep watching over us!!!
Tyronne McGrath
November 28, 2020
My Dad was rough tuff cowboy surfer. I loved taking trips to mule days in bishop with him and his cool friends. We would pack up jerky, whiskey and ice cold beer in are saddle bags for are long rides near bishop CA. He was definitely a endurance rider. He would tell me, “tighten up your sench on your saddle “ and I said it’s fine .
Well it was lose and I fell asleep and fell from atop the mule Candy into sage brush. Both of us where laughing . So many awesome times I had with my Dad. Sending love to My Dad, family and friends. “ No wars no fights”
Love Tyronne
John Ramirez
November 22, 2020
Dear Mary, Margo and Family,
I was lucky to meet Jim in high school. The kind easy going person was a force for our football team. He was a great classmate. Always helpful to others, always a kind person.
John Ramirez
Santa Clara High School
1968
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Steve & Cris Pfeiler
November 20, 2020
Spent lots of time riding the trails on many ranches, in the Sespe and Eastern Sierras with Jim. Driving wagons then became a passion with lots of good memories. Rest In Peace. Condolences to the family and all that lost a loved one and friend.
Steve & Cris Pfeiler
Robert Hill
November 20, 2020
Jim was definitely one of a kind. I so liked being in his company. Always a fun time. Soft spoken, fast to smile, extremely nice; he will be missed by many. My nieces and nephews loved the rides with Jim at the pumpkin patch. I will never forget the BBQ's after dove hunting, and especially the time that I fell down in Jim's mule drawn wagon, and did not spill my margarita! Jim got a big kick out of my dexterity at that moment. Ah, Jim. RIP ol' friend.
Makala
November 18, 2020
Dad,
You were one of a kind!! The best Dad I ever could of had. We had so many fun times especially the trip to New Mexico to see Mom. We drove out in the red suburban and your Dwight Yoakam CD played on repeat, I can still hear it..."a thousand miles from no where, no place I'd rather be!" We stopped along the way by the Grand Canyon and bought a Spanish guitar, I still have it to this day, McKenna has taken it over!
Your grandchildren love you, their Papa Cado!! We loved when you lived with us for a short time in Arizona, I know you weren't feeling so good, but we were lucky to have you so close to enjoy a cup of coffee, meals and hugs.
The last words I said to you, "I'm taking the kids to the beach, Dad, I love you." Of course, it was the most beautiful day at the beach you made the water so pristine and glassy, the sun so bright and shiny, big and little signs everywhere letting us know you were ok.
Love to all your friends and family who knew you! We will see you again one day. XOXO
Eternally loved and always remembered. XOOX
Dennis Lang
November 17, 2020
I have such colorful and vivid memories of paddling in the line-up at the “Tanks” or Solimar reef with “SPOT” (AKA Jim). My thoughts and memories bring a smile to my face. Rest In Peace dear friend and condolences to his family. Peace, Dennis Lang
Chris Maloney
November 17, 2020
The first time I met Jim I had just started dating Makala a few months earlier. We went to visit the ranch in Moorpark and he was so excited to show us his mules and cart. He took us for a ride on the mule cart. Me growing up a city boy, I was way out of my element on that ranch, I even showed up in sandals. Well, the mules started getting stubborn, so me trying to show off my manhood I decided to grab the mules to get them to turn. The mules charged forward and there I was hanging underneath 2 mules watching my life flash before my eyes. Jim stopped the mules and told me not to do that as he was rolling his eyes. This started 1 of many times where I was clumsy on the ranch and Jim was always there to bail me out. Rest in paradise Jim!!! We will miss you!!!
Ashley Eustrom
November 17, 2020
My deepest condolences. May the love of friends and family help in the days ahead . Jim was a wonderful man who will be missed dearly.
Tom Mayo
November 17, 2020
Thanks for publishing this. He was a wild man and will be greatly missed by me and all my friends!!
Dad, We couldn’t have had a better role model and Father. It’s sad t
November 16, 2020
Thomas Doud
November 16, 2020
The family is in our thoughts and prayers. Tom Doud & family
Colleen Simmons
November 16, 2020
Dear Mary, Margo and McGrath family,
So sorry to hear of Jim's passing. I do have fond memories of him ...
a bunch of us camping at the beach many years ago and of course his great BBQ 's at the Ranch. I always viewed Jim as a really good and kind guy! May his many awesome memories comfort you at this time.
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