Darold Lee McGrath

Darold Lee McGrath, 72, passed away Friday, January 16, 2026 at his home near Madison.

He was born August 24, 1953 in Clay Center, Kansas the son of Pete and Heloise Jones McGrath.

Darold was raised in Green Leafe, Kansas. As a young man he began working as a operator and certified welder for a gas pipeline in Missouri. This job would find him in Greenwood County, Kansas where he put down roots working in the oil fields and later pursuing his true love of ranching and raising cattle.

Over the years he found his two favorite horses, King and Rosie.

Darold married Ellen Istas on July 11, 1972 in Concordia, Kansas. They would later divorce.

He married Jill Kimberlin on April 15, 1989. They were later divorced.

Darold will live on in the hearts and memories of his sons, Jared McGrath and wife Shannon and Nick McGrath; two step sons, Pat Livy and Christopher Kimberlin; two brothers, Elmo and Dale McGrath; six grandchildren, Thomas Sinnett, Robert Mundell, Alan Patrick, Cody and Tara Bess, Raven Wise and Dannicka McGrath; fourteen great-grandchildren, Riley Schemm, Ali Schemm, Emmalynn Schemm, Gracey Mundell, Colter Bess, Robert Jr. Mundell, Baileigh Mundell, Rider Foster, Atticus, Colten Sinnett, Jaxen Sinnett, Sienna Patrick and Sawyer; Darold’s companion, Lisa Rickabaugh; numerous extended family and a community of dear friends. He was preceded in death by four sisters, Marilyn Olde, Linda Reed, Martha Reed and Maxine Rush and two brothers, Bert McGrath and David McGrath.

Family and friends will gather at 11:00 A.M., Friday, January 23, 2026 at the First Christian Church in Madison to celebrate Darold’s life. Memorial contributions may be made to the Church or the American Cancer Society and sent in care of the VanArsdale Funeral Home, P.O. Box #488, Madison, Kansas 66860. Condolences may be expressed at vanarsdalefs.com.