Roy “Dale” McGaw

Roy “Dale” McGaw, son of the late Charles Vance and Dorothy (Helsley) McGaw, born Oct. 3, 1949, in Mansfield, departed this life Oct. 10, 2025, at Milton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Milton, Pa., 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, 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, Colo., 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, N.Y.. Then, finally back home in Mansfield. 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, Pa., on Nov. 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, and Melanie Schrock and her husband, Tony, of Milton, Pa.; six grandchildren, Mekayla, Carter, Elizabeth and Kylie Schrock of Milton, Pa., Geo, Lane and Cooper McGaw, of Kansas City; and a sister, Ann Duckworth and her husband, Randy, of Ava. 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. Visitation will be held Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, from 6-8 p.m. at Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mansfield. Funeral Services will be held Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, at 10 a.m., also at the funeral home. Burial will follow the service at 1 p.m. at Missouri Veteran’s Cemetery, Springfield. Online condolences: www.craighurttfuneralhome.com.