James Edward McGrew

1979-2023

James (Jay) McGrew passed away in Houston on February 16, 2023 at the age of 43.

Jay was born in Austin, Texas and lived in San Antonio before moving to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1993. He attended Jenks High School, where he was a member of the swim team. While in high school, his family hosted an exchange student, Adam Kovacs, from Budapest, Hungary. Adam and Jay became as close as brothers and enjoyed visits with each other, despite the geographical distance, for the rest of Jay's life.

Jay attended college at the University of Oklahoma followed by a year at the University of Texas at Austin. He also spent a year studying abroad at the Sorbonne University in Paris. He graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in English and French literature in 2002.

Most of his career was spent in the power marketing industry but he spent his recent years in the oil and gas industry as a Senior Accounts Receivable Analyst at Enterprise Products in Houston.

Jay was very devoted to his parents and sister Melissa, and especially enjoyed spending time with his nieces Kate and Emma, who he loved dearly. He was also very close to his large extended family in Austin and spent many holidays with them through the years, leaving behind many happy memories and funny stories about the gatherings.

Jay was kind and thoughtful and cared deeply about causes that support those in our society who are facing adversity. He was also very sharp-witted and fun. He made friends in every situation and kept them laughing. He particularly enjoyed traveling, attending concerts (he was perhaps the biggest fan of Aerosmith ever), watching Longhorn football and spending time with friends.

Jay was predeceased by his grandparents, Ella and Ed Crofford and James and Elaine McGrew, all of Austin. He is survived by his parents, James and Pat McGrew, his sister Melissa Bonesteel, her husband Josh and their two children, Kate and Emma Bonesteel, along with Adam Kovacs. He is also survived by aunts and uncles Cindy Crofford, Karen and John Davis, and Meg and Gary Meo, along with numerous cousins and extended family members. He would want people to know that his puppy, Bevo, has been adopted by a loving family.

Friends and family are invited to a visitation at Klein Funeral Home Cy-Fair Northwest at 9719 Wortham Blvd., Houston from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, February 27. A service in celebration of Jay's life will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28 at Good Shepard Methodist Church at 20155 Cypresswood Dr. in Cypress, Texas. Jay will be laid to rest at Austin Memorial Park at 2800 Hancock Drive in Austin, Texas with a brief service on Saturday, March 4, at 10 a.m. Friends and family are invited to both services.

Pall bearers will include Scott Davis, Joe Davis, Ira Crofford, Jr., Jacob Crofford, Zach McCarthy and Eric Meo.

Donations may be made in his memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org

The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to all who have reached out to offer support during this difficult time.

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV