Herbert Warner Mcgrath

Herbert Warner McGrath             June 22, 1922 ~ May 14, 2014

Herbert Warner McGrath, age 91, of Montrose, passed away May 14, 2014 at Colorow Care Center in Olathe, Colorado.  Herbert, the son of Herbert James and Edith Hazel Warner McGrath, was born June 2, 1922 at Bloomington, Illinois.  He spent his childhood in Bloomington, graduating from Bloomington High School.  He then received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1944 and Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from University of Colorado in 1953.  Herbert served during World War II in the United States Navy as PhM2C, enlisting in 1944 and discharged in 1946.  On September 8, 1951 he was married to Charlotte Miller in Bloomington, Illinois.

Herb was employed as a Chemistry teacher in Illinois; pharmacist at various pharmacies in Colorado (Castle Rock, Burlington, and Pueblo) and the owner of Olathe, Colorado pharmacy from 1962-1982; LTC Ombudsman for Region 10 Agency on Aging 1987-1995.  Volunteered at Western Colorado Museum where he portrayed a pharmacist in the old drugstore area which contained the furnishings of his old Olathe Pharmacy.

Memberships: DeMolay; Order of the Arrow (Boy Scout Troop 3) in Bloomington, IL; Phi Gamma Delta fraternity; Worshipful Master (1975), Olathe Lodge #157 (Mason of the Year in 1993) A.F. & A.M.; and Olathe Methodist Church.

Family: Spouse, Charlotte (deceased in 1991); children, Kimberly (deceased in 1994) brother, Edwin (deceased in 2006) Parents, Herbert (deceased in 1970) and Edith (deceased in 1992) Sister-in-law, Mrs. Patsy McGrath (Bloomington, IL) brother-in-law, Mr. Leland B. Miller (Alice) (Mahomet, IL.)Nieces, Jennifer (Jim) Whittinghill (L and O Lakes, Wisconsin); Angela  McGrath (Frank Byers) (Evanston, IL); Susan (Timothy) Fallon (Geneva, IL) Nephews, Steven Miller (deceased in 1984) James B. Miller (Daytona Beach, FL) Great-Nieces, Katherine and Elizabeth Fallon (Geneva, IL) Abbey (Michael) Brooks, Great Nephew, Chad (Melissa) Whittinghill, Great-Great Niece Maya Brooks, Great-Great Nephew Preston Brooks.

Herbert was a positive, honest, and upbeat person.  One of the most enjoyable parts of his youth was being in the boy Scouts with his brother, Edwin Herbert achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.  During his working Career he enjoyed having his own drugstore in Olathe from 1962-1982.  He loved having his own business and the Olathe Community.  In late retirement, he lived most of the last 5 1/2 years at Heidi’s Chateau in Montrose.  He enjoyed the good food, van rides, movies and the warmth and attentiveness of the staff.

The Olathe community will host a service on Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at 4:00 P.M. at the Olathe United Methodist Church with Military Honors.

Herbert, when you approached Heaven’s Gate and asked for “permission to come aboard,” there is no doubt in our minds that the response was “permission granted sailor, and welcome home.”  Arrangements are under the care of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Colorado