IN MEMORIAM

Dr. Deorsey Earl McGruder, Jr. (1937-2019):

First African Cherokee American To Graduate From

Oklahoma State University School of Veterinary Medicine, 1964

 

“I was told upon my arrival, they [his parents] were very happy and filled with joy, because not only was I the 4th child, but the 1st boy.  I was born May 1, 1937, to Deorsey Earl McGruder, Sr. and Sadie Mae Olivia Toneta Seals McGruder by midwife in Muskogee, Oklahoma.” 

Dr.  Deorsey Earl McGruder, Jr. is a direct descendant of Cherokee citizen Chas. Forman and Patsey Bushyhead, a slave.  The couple had four daughters in the Cherokee Nation Indian Territory during the 1800’s:  Dorcas Forman, Narcissa Forman, Lucy Forman and Polly Forman. Dorcas Forman was owned by Jesse Bushyhead, 2nd Chief and minister.  According to her enrollment interview, Dorcas bought her freedom “6 years before the Civil War.”  Dr. McGruder’s mother, Sadie Mae Olivia Toneta Seals McGruder is the great great granddaughter of Dorcas Foreman.

Dr. McGruder resided in rural Muskogee, Oklahoma with his parents and eight siblings. He was very industrious, picking crops at age 4 and printing newspapers for his paper route at age 11.  He also sold chickens as he delivered newspapers.

Attending Manual Training High School, Dr. McGruder was active in agricultural studies, helping the school raise money by cultivating crops and cattle for New Farmers of America (comparable to FFA).  His father, Deorsey McGruder, Sr. created career day, encouraging young Deorsey to seek the field of Veterinary Medicine and introducing him to Dr. John Montgomery, an African American Veterinarian in Poteau, Oklahoma.  His future wife, Vera Etta Evans, was working with Dr. Montgomery in her hometown.

Dr. McGruder attended Langston University for two years and transferred to Oklahoma State University, achieving a BS in Agriculture.  In 1960, he was accepted into the Oklahoma State University School of Veterinary Medicine becoming the first African Cherokee American to be admitted.  

He married his sweetheart, Vera Etta Evans McGruder, in 1963 and graduated in 1964. To this union was born three offspring: Diana McGruder Harper, Edward Deorsey McGruder, and Anita Kay McGruder-Johnson.

Dr. McGruder made numerous contributions to the fields of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine.  After graduating, Dr. McGruder was recruited to teach large animal medicine at Tuskegee Institute, becoming the first Veterinary Professor to use sterile surgical techniques outdoors.  He was next employed by the Food and Drug Administration, inspecting chickens on farms throughout the South.  Eventually, he achieved his dream of owning a Veterinary practice in Dallas, Texas.

Dr. McGruder was the First African Cherokee American Veterinarian in Dallas, Texas; and he was the third practicing veterinarian in the state of Texas.  He volunteered with the ASPCA providing free medical exams to newly adopted pets; and he was appointed to the Texas Racing Commission by Governor Ann Richards from 1993 – 1999.  He was instrumental in getting legislation passed requiring that only veterinarians could administer rabies vaccinations; and he served the Dallas community for 50 years.

Author’s Reflection

My dad always told us kids to “focus and persist.” His life was surely an example of focusing on a goal and persisting on that path despite obstacles. During his first year of Veterinary Medicine, he and his sister, Geneva, were in a flood. He lost all of his belongings, including his veterinary books. Geneva was short-statured (less than 5ft tall) and was carried out of the flood waters by a friend. My dad addressed the Dean about losing his books in the flood. Dad was granted the opportunity to start over with the next class. Some people would have quit. He focused and persisted and lived in the bounty of his accomplished vision!