CAPE ELIZABETH — Ronald W. McGranahan, 68, died Sept. 11.

He was born July 25, 1946, in Anderson, Indiana, the son of Donald G. and Vivian W. McGranahan. He spent his youth in Anderson, where he graduated from the local high school with a career goal of becoming a music educator.

McGranahan attended Jordan College of Music, at Butler University, on a trumpet performance scholarship. He went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in music from Ball State University, where he was a member of the Golden Key National Scholastic Honorary Society. He also received a master’s certificate in human resource management from Chapman University.

In 1968, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and served as a musician with duties as a trumpet instrumentalist and petty officer at duty stations throughout the U.S. and Europe.

While serving with the U.S. Naval Academy Band, McGranahan was also the director of the Brigade of Midshipmen Drum and Bugle Corps and Jazz Band. Other Navy duty stations included Naples, Italy; Newport, Rhode Island; Norfolk, Virginia; and San Francisco. He retired after 21 years of service in 1993.

McGranahan achieved his original career goal to work with young people as a music educator when he then taught at high schools in Indiana and Florida. In 2003, he became co-owner with his wife, Barbara, of the Freeport Clipper Inn.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Bowsher McGranahan, of Cape Elizabeth, and his son, Robert W. McGranahan, of Nokomis, Florida. He was predeceased by his father, mother, aunts and son, Richard E. McGranahan.

Services, including military honors, were scheduled at family discretion in Annapolis, Maryland, and Cincinnati.


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