Terry McGrath
Terry McGrath was instrumental in the development of the Live Steam hobby in Texas. He was a founding member of the Southwestern Live Steamers. Terry, along with Ron Paddock and Paul Beverung, built the Annetta Valley & Western Railroad on 10 acres of land he owned in Parker County, Texas. Terry also built and sold live steam equipment through his company Texas Railway Supply Inc.
Obituary
September 8, 1941 - January 18, 2017
Born on Sept. 8, 1941, in Charleston, W.V., the son of the late Dr. Thomas T. and Virginia McGrath. Terry was raised in Kansas City, Missouri, before moving to Fort Worth for his senior year at R.L. Paschal High School. He attended Texas Wesleyan University and received his Certificate in Management from Texas Christian University, and his Th.D. in Theology from Florida State Christian College. He was an ordained minister.
Terry was a pioneer in the long term care industry, serving as the Administrator, and eventual owner of Fireside Lodge Healthcare Center for 54 years. He also owned Fireside Manor, Bowie Nursing Center, Jackson Square East and Jackson Square South. He always felt it was his mission to care for the elderly, insisting that the resident's care, environment, safety and delicious food were a constant in their lives, all within a home like atmosphere. He was President of the Fort Worth Chapter of the Texas State Nursing Home Association, the Tarrant County Nursing Home Association, and was a Fellow in the American College of Nursing Home Administrators.
Terry was passionate about his life and his personal interests. He loved children's choirs and served as Chairman of the Board of the Texas Boys Choir, and served on the Board of the Texas State Men & Boys Choir as their founding benefactor.
His hobby was railroading. He owned Texas Railway Supply Inc that manufactured a train featured as gift of the year in the Neiman Marcus Christmas catalogue. He also owned Trains-N-Things Hobby and Toy stores with two locations. He started his own model railroad with a circle of track in his backyard, eventually expanding to a 2 mile track on his land in Annetta, Texas. He was President of the Southwestern Live Steamers (twice), and also of the Annetta Valley and Western Railroad Club. He was a recipient of the Les Burford Award for excellence in railroading.
Terry loved the Lord and his church, Arborlawn United Methodist Church. He served on the Administrative Board of Westcliff UMC and was a member of the Bible Study Sunday School Class at Arborlawn.
Time spent with family and friends were the highlight of his life. He loved entertaining and cooking, and being involved with anything of importance to his three sons and six grandchildren.
Terry served on the boards of both the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. When he asked these groups why they asked him to serve on their boards, he was told it was because his name was so respected in the community. He was also listed in World's Who's Who of Professionals, Who's Who in the South and Southwest, Personalities of the South, and the American Hospice Association's Recognition of Outstanding Healthcare. Travel, fine dining and Blue Bell ice cream were integral parts of his life. He experienced more than 70 cruises and belonged to several local clubs for their excellent cuisine, including Ridglea Country Club, Colonial Country Club, City Club, Fort Worth Club and Petroleum Club. He was listed in the Fort Worth Social Directory.
Bill Koster posted on Facebook:
- Yes Terry will be missed he was an outstanding person a great friend and a good competitor in the rail road business.
Terry McGrath at the Comanche & Indian Gap Railroad Fall Meet, 1992. https://youtu.be/qQZWcLmvGec?t=345
