Roy McGaw Obituary

Roy “Dale” McGaw, son of the late Charles Vance and Dorothy (Helsley) McGaw, born October 3, 1949, in Mansfield, Missouri, departed this life October 10, 2025, at Milton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Milton, Pennsylvania, at the age of 76 years and 7 days.

Dale grew up in Mansfield and graduated Mansfield High School class of 1967. Following high school he attended college at College of the Ozarks for one year then attended the former Southwest Missouri State University, now known as Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri, for a semester. On May 16, 1969, Dale was united in marriage to Carol Swopes. Together they shared 56 wonderful years of marriage and to this union two children were born.

In June of 1969, he joined the United States Air Force and was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base for Basic Training. He was then sent to Lowery Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado, for more training. He was later stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. It was during that time that he and Carol welcomed their first child, Missy, in 1971. From there he was sent to Tan Son Nhut Air Force Base in Saigon, Vietnam. After serving there he was stationed at Hancock Field in Syracuse, New York. Then, finally back home in Mansfield, Missouri. In 1977, once settled back home, they welcomed their second child, Melanie.

Dale worked various jobs including Town and Country Supermarket in Mansfield, Clark Drilling out of Mansfield, and Ozark Correctional Center in Fordland. Dale proudly served the Mansfield community for over 34 years with the Mansfield Police Department, retiring November 2014, as the Chief of Police. Dale and Carol were members of Mansfield First Baptist Church. He served on the Mansfield School board for several years. Dale and Carol moved to Milton, Pennsylvania, on November 1, 2014, to be closer to their family. Dale loved reading, listening to gospel music, watching westerns and attending his grandkids many sports events. Dale could be found almost every morning sitting at Signal drinking coffee with the many great minds of Wright County at what was called “Signal 30”. Where many stories and tall tales were shared over morning coffee.

Dale is survived by his wife, Carol McGaw of the home, two daughters, Missy McGaw and her wife, Dana of Kansas City, Missouri, and Melanie Schrock and her husband, Tony of Milton, Pennsylvania, six grandchildren, Mekayla, Carter, Elizabeth and Kylie Schrock of Milton, Pennsylvania, Geo, Lane and Cooper McGaw of Kansas City, Missouri, and a sister, Ann Duckworth and her husband, Randy of Ava, Missouri.

Dale made a lasting impression on many lives throughout his life, including several teenagers that he would have to put the fear of God into to keep them in line when he would catch them causing trouble around town. Dementia stole his memory, but he is now pain free. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. His legacy will live on forever in our hearts.

The family has asked for no flowers to be sent to the service, memorial contributions can be made to the family in care of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home Mansfield, Missouri, by dropping off in person or by mail to: 315 N. Main St. Mountain Grove, Missouri, 65711. Memorial contributions can also be made to the Mansfield Schools for the girls athletics department or the Veterans brunch.