Biography
McGaha played baseball at Arkansas State Teachers College.
McGaha died on November 5th, 2011 in Searcy. He was buried in White County Memorial Gardens in Searcy, AR.2
Excerpts
"Norris Durward McGaha, 86, of Searcy, Arkansas passed away November 5, 2011 in Searcy. Durward was born October 16, 1925 in Stella, Arkansas to the late J.M. McGaha and Thelma McGaha. He was a member of the College church of Christ in Searcy. Durward attended Arkansas Tech in Russellville for one semester in 1942 prior to enlisting in the Navy to serve in WWII. After being honorably discharged from the Navy in May, 1946, he resumed his college education at Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1950. He received his Master of Science in Education degree from Arkansas State College in Jonesboro in August, 1965. Durward married Sue Bridgman on December 20, 1952, in Batesville, Arkansas. They raised two sons, Mike (1960) and Patrick (1969). Throughout his professional life, Durward focused on helping others achieve their goals. He began by educating and coaching high school athletes for four years in Cave City, two years in Newport and ten years in Batesville where he built life-long relationships with his students and players. He served as Director of Admissions at Arkansas College in Batesville and Harding University in Searcy before finally directing Career Planning and Placement at Harding. He was dedicated to local residents as he served 14 years on the Searcy City Council following his retirement from Harding. Durward never met a stranger, and his love for others was genuine. Whether he was rushing out of the house to make sure he could deliver cold Cokes to the sanitation truck workers on hot summer days, sending notes of congratulations attached to newspaper clippings spotlighting his co-workers’ accomplishments, or writing funny poems to his friends and co-workers to spotlight milestones in their lives, he strived to let others know they were special to him. Durward was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish, hunt and play sports - especially with his sons. Usually, the only things that kept him indoors were inclement weather, a Razorback game, or a Cardinals baseball game. His love of competitive sports and being physically active spanned seven decades. His abilities and his passion for excellence were evidenced through his being a three-sport letterman in college and playing semi-pro baseball during the summers of the 1940s. This passion continued through his later years as he trained for and competed in Senior Olympics until the age of 77. Most of all, Durward was a loving husband and father who put his family’s needs ahead of his own. His life example provided a strong Christian foundation for his family’s future generations. No matter how he was addressed – “Dad”, “Dur”, “Mr. Mac” or “Duke” – he was the same loving man who stood firm for his values and who consistently demonstrated his love for others. Durward would have loved to be able to thank and give big hugs to the many friends who were so committed to his family and him during the final stage of his life. A special thanks to Mel and Irene Redman for their constant concern and for Mel’s loving persistence in taking care of Durward and Sue’s lawn when Durward no longer could. Also, a thank you to the administration and staff at Byrd Haven Nursing Home for their loving care and friendship during Durward’s final two years.Durward was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Vaughn D. McGaha, and a sister, Jo Griffin. Durward is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sue McGaha; two sons, Mike (Kimberly) McGaha of Plano, Texas and Patrick (Sarah) McGaha of Searcy; one sister, Shirley King of Wenatchee, Washington; and four grandsons – Josh, Luke, Connor and Ryan."3
Stats
Statistics at Baseball-Reference.com.