Last updated on: November 21, 2024
Dr. Joseph J. McGraw was a man with a unique life story. He is best known as the father of Dr. Phil McGraw, the famous TV psychologist. While Dr. Phil is known for helping people on his show, not much is known about the life of his father. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Dr. Joseph J. McGraw, his life, and how he influenced his son.
| Quick Facts About Dr. Joseph McGraw | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dr. Joseph J. McGraw |
| Birthdate | N/A |
| Occupation | Psychologist |
| Husband/Wife | Geraldine Stevens |
| Died | 1993 |
| Age | N/A |
| Parents | Not Known |
| Grandchildren | Jordan McGraw, Jay McGraw |
| Children | Deana McGraw Prater, Donna Jo McGraw Madsen, Brenda Watters |
| Net Worth | <$1 million |
Early Years and Career
Dr. Joseph J. McGraw hails from North Texas, and he began in a very different field than that of psychology. His early years were spent working on the oil fields of North Texas. He supplied equipment for the oil industry, and it was a job that required a lot of toughness and demands. However, as time passed, he found something new to pursue in life. He made a big change in his life by deciding to enter this world of psychology.
But this decision to quit the oil business has greatly affected Dr. Phil’s life. As such, he said during several interviews that his father’s change in careers actually inspired him because he made this huge jump and pursued something he then loved much. So, his father actually stood before Dr. Phil as a witness of pursuing one’s true passion, no matter how difficult it might be.
Family Life
Dr. Joseph J. McGraw was married to Geraldine Stevens, a loving wife and mother who liked being a good spouse and mother. They had four children. Their only son was Dr. Phil, and he grew up with three sisters, namely Deana McGraw Prater, Donna Jo McGraw Madsen, and Brenda Watters.
As a son to his parents and sister twins, the life of Dr. Phil was definitely influenced by all the sisters and both parents. His rearing in the family of six taught him the value of relationships and good family ties. Dr. Joseph and Jerrie McGraw worked very hard to provide stability and love for their children. All this was passed on to Dr. Phil, who often shares them on his TV show.
The Impact of Dr. Joseph J. McGraw on Dr. Phil
Dr. Joseph J. McGraw’s career change wasn’t just a change of jobs; it was a lesson in the power of change and reinvention. Many times, Dr. Phil has talked about his father who had the courage to make a big shift in life and how that has influenced him in his life. It made him the man today who helps others at their challenges.
Dr. Joseph’s role as a psychologist also influenced his son. While Dr. Phil did not follow in his father’s exact footsteps, he entered the field of psychology, becoming a famous TV personality and author. It is clear that Dr. Joseph’s background in psychology helped shape Dr. Phil’s own approach to understanding human behavior.
The Legacy of Dr. Joseph J. McGraw
Dr. Joseph J. McGraw passed away in 1993 but his influence is still experienced in today’s life. His lessons about change, hard work, and following one’s passion continue guiding his son. Dr. Phil often talks about his dad’s impact in his life. Though he was not a public figure like his son, his wisdom, and advice were strong.
His career in psychology was also a factor in why Dr. Phil decided to help others, aside from being a father figure. Many of the lessons he learned from his father are what Dr. Phil teaches people in order to work through their troubles. Often on TV, and in books, Dr. Phil stresses taking control of your life and making positive changes-an idea that was first taught to him by Dr. Joseph.
READ ALSO: Phil McGraw Net worth, Age, Wife, Family, Facts & More
A glimpse into Dr. Joseph J. McGraw’s Family
Dr. Joseph J. McGraw’s career is only one side of the coin; the other is the family he raised. His children, including Dr. Phil, continue to honor his memory. Dr. Phil’s siblings—Deana, Donna, and Brenda—also carried forward the values their father instilled in them. Sadly, Deana passed away in 2018, and Donna in 2022, but their memories and their contributions to the family remain strong.
Jay McGraw and Jordan McGraw, the sons of Dr. Phil, continue to establish their own careers in the field of entertainment. Although they have established careers on their own, they were produced upon the same ideals of love, hard work, and kindness that Joseph McGraw instilled in his family members.
Source: celebs.infoseemedia.com
