Kirby Carlton McGraw

Kirby Carlton McGraw entered into peace and glory as he passed away on Wednesday June 4, 2014. Kirby is preceded in death by his parents, Walter B. and Clara McGraw, seven siblings, and one grandson, Cannon Blaine Cotton. He was affectionately known as "Doc" by all of those that crossed his path. His life was a life of service to his family, friends, and patients. He was a beloved friend to all. This extraordinary man lived 84 years and in those years gave selflessly of his time and energy. Kirby C. McGraw graduated from DeWitt high school in 1948. He served in the United States Air Force from 1949 to 1950. He then worked his way through college and with a football scholarship. He graduated from Henderson State with a bachelor's degree in 1954. He was the head basketball and track coach and assistant football coach at Bauxite high school from 1954 to 1958. While coaching he also served as a Bauxite high school principal from 1956 to 1958. During the summer vacations of high school between 1954 and 1957 he attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and graduated with a Masters degree. In 1958 he began dental school at the University of Tennessee School of Dentistry and graduated in 1961.In 1961 he opened his first dental office in an old down town store in Brinkley, Arkansas, until he built a new office in Brinkley in 1973. He practiced dentistry in Brinkley until 1981. While in Brinkley he served as the President of the Chamber of Commerce in 1965 and served on the City Board of Adjustments. Also, he was President of the Brinkley School Board from 1968 to 1972. He moved his dental practice to Beebe, Arkansas, in 1982, and worked there until 1993 when his sons Larry McGraw and Lance McGraw graduated from dental school and they took over his office in Beebe and the office in Brinkley. He opened a dental office in Searcy, Arkansas, in 1993 and remained there until 1996. He then moved his dental practice to Ward, Arkansas, from 1997 to 1999. In 1998 he built a dentist office at 461 Campground Road, Beebe, Arkansas, and practiced at that location from 1999 until his retirement in December of 2009. He was a member of the Arkansas Dental Association and the American Dental Association. Kirby C. McGraw is survived by his wife Onia and his children Lisa, Lance, Larry, Linda, and Kristie. Also, he is survived by his grandchildren Kati, Kelsey, Taylor, Trevor, Kaden,Livia, and Dakota. He is also survived by his step son Curtis and stepgrandchildren Tanner, Makenzi and Bayli. He is also survived by his nephew Kevin that is like a son. He is survived by his extended family, the Coley's and the Alumbaugh's. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 7, 2014 at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home, Greenbrier (501) 679-2575, with Bro. Virgil Porter officiating. Burial will follow at Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens in Beebe, Ark. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Donations in Kirby C. McGraw's honor may be made to the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church Greenbrier, Arkansas. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.