Obituary of Dr. John Joseph McGraw

John Joseph McGraw, PhD. was born August 21, 1974 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He attended Monte Cassino School and was a 1993 graduate of Cascia Hall Preparatory School. He attended Exeter Academy in Exeter, NH and Stanford University where he received his Bachelors of Arts degree, was member of Sigma Nu fraternity and competed on the Men’s Rowing team. John then attended the University of California, San Diego where he received his Master’s Degree in Anthropology and two Doctorate degrees, one in Anthropology and the other in Cognitive Science. John currently held positions as External Collaborator at the University of Connecticut, Affiliated Researcher at the Aarhus University, Denmark, Affiliated Researcher at San Pedro La Laguna, Guatemala and Assistant Professor in the department of Religious Studies at the University of California, Northridge. In the course of his research, John had the opportunity to live in Guatemala and after moving back to the States, he maintained an office in San Pedro La Laguna, as well as on the African island of Mauritius. From his time living there and the countless visits that followed over the years, John developed a deep love for Guatemala and a great respect for its people. John was not only a world-class scholar and intellect who has published across numerous fields and collaborated internationally with brilliant colleagues, but he was also a dedicated athlete who trained and competed in triathlons and enjoyed participating in many Mayan rituals. John had a deep love of nature and the outdoors. He enjoyed the many long walks and talks on the beach with his mother, Belinda as well as crystal mining and the many memorable camping adventures with his father, Joe. John had an insatiable zest for adventure, an infectious sense of humor and a deep love of family. John had recently completed building a desert retreat in his beloved Sedona, Arizona, where he passed from this life July 20, 2016 at the age of 41. John is survived by his mother, Belinda Bates Posey and Jim Posey; father, Joe McGraw and Carol McGraw; brother and sister-in-law, Peter and Lori McGraw; nephews, Sawyer and Oliver McGraw; brother, Zach McGraw; sister and brother-in-law, Brooke Belinda and Matthew Kelley; nieces, Lauren and Hope Kelley; sister, Heather McGraw; his beloved dog and companion of 15 years, “Chico del Mar;” and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. A memorial mass will be held 11:00 AM Friday at Christ The King Church, 16th & South Rockford Ave. In lieu of flowers, friends may support the many causes John loved by contributing to the John Joseph McGraw Memorial Fund c/o American Bank & Trust, PO Box 3339, Tulsa, OK 74101. Ninde Funeral Directors, Brookside Chapel (918) 742-5556 www.ninde.com