Contributions to the tribute of Louis Joseph Graham

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The family of Louis Joseph Graham uploaded a photo

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

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Thursday, May 12, 0001

Eulogy by Louis Joseph Graham, Jr. Eulogy for My Dad December 4, 2013 I heard a speaker at a seminar one time, talking about career and money and he described the difference between being rich and being wealthy. He said a Rich man is someone that can go shopping for anything at all that he wants, and the check will clear the bank with no problem. Then he said, a wealthy man is someone who can afford for his wife do the same thing. A different man once told me that there are three things you need to know to make it in this world: 1.Love God 2.Remember your name is all you really own in life, so don't tarnish it. 3. Know that you can do anything you set your mind to. Oh, yeah, he said. There is a fourth thing… Always make friends with the cook and supply sergeant. I got that advice in 1983 as I was about to board an airplane, headed for basic training. This wise man was my dad, Louis Joseph Newton Graham. I’m his first-born, I’m his namesake and it's a name I’m proud to carry. Growing up, I always knew he loved me, that he wanted the best for me, and that he would do anything that he could to provide for me. Even though he was never a rich man monetarily, he was the wealthiest man in the world in the currency of love for his family - and he spread that wealth around as though he had an endless supply - which he did. And it wasn't limited to his own wife and kids. We always seemed to have a few unofficially adopted siblings or neighbors at the house - and later in life, when grandchildren and great grandchildren came, he loved them the same way. I have great memories of him coming home from work and walking through the front door. Every day, I hid behind the door and jumped on him as he walked in. He always acted surprised as he gave me a huge hug like it was the best part of his day. I vividly remember my 7th birthday. It was July 16, 1969 and it also happened to be the day that Neil Armstrong and his crew launched Apollo 11 from Cape Canaveral, and headed into space for the first ever manned moon landing. I loved everything to do with the space program so I watched the launch and I wanted to watch 4 days later after they landed and we're preparing to make the first footprints on the lunar surface. The first walk was scheduled for just before 11 PM which was long after my bedtime. But Dad promised to wake me up when the time came. Sure enough, he came and got me out of bed a few minutes before, and carried me to the living room where we sat on the couch together watching history unfold, along with Walter Cronkite and millions of other people around the world. Not too long after that, Dad built a Apollo Simulator in our basement for me and my brother. Complete with a radar, a computer, a LOUD launch siren, - I’m pretty sure mom loved that part 2 best – Retro rockets - the works! It had a hatch and a ladder leading down to the basement lunar surface. We spent hours exploring our own Moonscape. We were the only kids on the block that had their own spaceship, and my dad built it. I tell that story, not only because it’s one of my favorite memories, but to indicate just how creative and loving my Dad was. He built a spaceship for us, he made custom golf clubs cut down for a 7-year old kid, He built furniture, he built a barn, he put a BB gun shooting range in our basement – long before there was a “Top Shot” TV show, he showed us how to collect sap from the trees in the front yard and cook down maple syrup, he made Japanese sukiyaki on occasion, and he made the world’s absolutely best coleslaw. He was a genius and he could figure out anything. He didn't do what he did and raise us the way he did because of some sense of obligation or duty - though I'm sure he felt those things. But he did what he did because he wanted to - because he loved us. He loved being with his family and building those “Remember When” moments. In fact, he told me years later that one of the reasons he didn’t apply for higher paying jobs at work when he had the opportuniti

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Marie Dorsey Graham posted a condolence

Thursday, May 12, 0001

Carey's Funeral Speech I have many memories of my grandpa. Memories that I hope I will never forget, and that also I will make those kinds of memories with my grandchildren. One of these memories is playing cards at my grandparent’s house with my sister almost every Wednesday. He and I were almost always on the same team if the game allowed, (my sister and grandma were no match for us together). He taught me almost all I know about strategy card games until I became the second best player in the house. He knew card tricks that I know I will never forget. For instance, while dealing he would sometimes flip the card high into the air while making it not flip over upon landing and still making it not overshoot the player. Another trick he would do was to stack the deck in one of the other player’s favor. The saddest thing about playing cards now is that a player (the greatest player I have ever known) will no longer be playing with us. Another memory I have of him is him telling every so often about what he did on the ship he was on in World War 2 and the things that happened (I loved hearing about his experiences). Until I found out about my grandpa being in World War 2 (which at the time I was probably 4 or 5 years old) I was very interested in construction vehicles (I am no longer interested in those). I think that is what started to get me interested in World War 2 stuff. Now I am a huge World War 2 buff, because of him. I have many other memories of him. One memory is getting two boxes of chocolate covered cherries every year as a Christmas present for him (I stole one every once in a while). Another is him sitting in his big blue recliner chair with a white tee-shirt on. Another very distinct one is him always smelling very good after getting out of the shower, due to very good smelling after shave lotion. I have always heard growing up that the greatest generation is dying and that soon there will be no one left. That has really hit home these past couple of weeks when I found out that he had numbered days. There were probably others that were greater than my grandpa out of the greatest generation, but in my eyes, my grandpa was the greatest of the greatest generation. Thank you.

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Bill Graham posted a condolence

Thursday, May 12, 0001

This is a poem I wrote for my Dad on his 77th birthday. I read it again at his memorial service. My dad was born in difficult times He grew up poor, without many dimes But he never went hungry, and learned how to love His mom saw to that, with kisses and hugs While still just a boy, he became a man By joining the war, and fighting Japan His courage shined through, all the pain and fear Medals and honor, became part of his gear Soon off to Korea, until his mom said, “No More!” She needed her son, to love, not fight war He did his duty, served our country well Finally met my mom, whom he thought was swell Got married, had kids, raised us up on a farm Taught us to love, even gave us some charm All his boys grew up and moved far away But so blessed was he, his girl chose to stay My Dad has done it right, he’s a credit to his name A man like him should be in a hall of fame But I know who he is, and all he has done God knows him too, he’s one of His sons I want to thank my Dad, on this special day For being my father, with me every day If not in body, then in thought and mind Thanks for being there Dad, all the time

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Delphine Manley posted a condolence

Thursday, May 12, 0001

We will always remember the man with the gentle spirit. Jesus was real in his life. Still use his Chili Recipe. We pray for comfort for the ones he left behind.

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Marie Dorsey Graham posted a condolence

Thursday, May 12, 0001

52 years was very good, but we'll have all of eternity together and it will be even better.

In loving memory of

Louis

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