John Steele McGranahan

John Steele McGranahan was born October 10, 1918 and died November 12, 2009 at the young age of 91. His life typified a zest for living and enthusiasm for the next new adventure. Blessed with many happy days on this planet, he was a blessing to many, many family and friends. John Steele McGranahan was born in Durham, North Carolina, grew up in Aurora, Ohio and spent most of his adult life in Mentor, Ohio. He moved to Mount Holly, New Jersey five years ago to be near his brother. He was predeceased by his parents, Mina Pearl Cochrane and John Byron McGranahan, by his first wife Ruth Roethlisberger McGranahan, and sisters Grace Edna McGranahan Brown and Katherine Jane McGranahan. He is survived by his wife, Helen Mona Ragan McGranahan, his brother, Robert Lewis McGranahan (Mildred), his cousin Clarence McGranahan Andrews, his step-children Richard McGranahan (Carol) and Joan McGranahan Jones (Edwin), his nieces and nephews Katherine McGranahan Livingston (Thaddeus); Robert Lewis McGranahan (Ann); Sarah McGranahan Edwards (Jeff), Jay Byron McGranahan, Bryon Brown, (Kathlyn), and his step-grandchildren Bob McGranahan (Christie), Steven McGranahan (Gina); Michael McGranahan (Ruth); Erin Jones Miller (Michael); great nieces and nephews Carrie, Rob, Thaddeus Andrew, Kate, Andrew Elijah, and Bobby and step-great-grandchildren Hagen, Gabriel, Avery, Marcail, Zeke, Kloe, and Liam. In his youth, John was in a jazz band and played in a minor league ball club. He once had lunch with Richard Nixon during his years at Duke University. Always an avid bridge player, he and his second wife Helen earned many masters points playing duplicate bridge. A brilliant mechanical engineer, John worked for Cleveland Tractor and then TRW as the project manager for the electro-chemical engineering of high performance jet engine turbines. John proudly served in the US Navy during World War II where he sustained serious injuries after his ship exploded. Honorably discharged, he was awarded the World War II Victory Medal. Descended from Pilgrims Richard Warren and Francis Cooke, he was also a member of the Mayflower Society. John practiced his deep, abiding faith in his Lord. One manifestation of his faith was his leadership and hands-on construction of Trinity Baptist Church in Mentor. He believed in and supported the work of Gideons International. Later in life, he took great joy in socializing with friends and family. Whether it be weekly Sunday brunch or watching the Phillies, John thrived when surrounded by friends, both familiar and yet to be introduced. His generosity and kind temperament are remembered fondly with esteem and affection. John will be greatly missed. Please join us as we celebrate a life well lived. Funeral Service will be Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at the First Presbyterian Church, 125 Garden Street, Mount Holly, NJ. Friends may call at 6 PM; funeral service to begin at 7 PM. Interment will be private, at Aurora Cemetery, Aurora, Ohio, next to his first wife, Ruth. A memorial service will be held at Trinity Baptist Church, 9225 Johnnycake Ridge Road, Mentor, Ohio on Saturday, November 28, 2009 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity Baptist Church or The Gideons International, PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214.

John Steele McGranahan

October 10, 1918 - November 12, 2009