Charles Edward Graham Jr.

Charles Edward Graham, Jr. Charles Edward Graham, Jr. of Lakeway, beloved husband of Elizabeth Ann Haninger Graham and devoted father of seven grateful children passed from this life on March 22, 2007 to be with the Lord. Charlie was a larger than life figure to his friends and family and will be forever missed by those that knew and loved him. He was known as 'Old Dad' to his grandchildren and viewed by all of his children as 'The World's Greatest Dad'. Charlie was born on February 8, 1926 in Denver, Colorado. He was welcomed into this world by his loving parents, Carrie Belle Badgett Graham and Charles Edward Graham, Sr. of Lubbock prior to moving to El Paso. Charlie grew up in El Paso, Texas doing many of the same activities that he would years later repeat with his own children and grandchildren. He attended Austin High School and The College of Mines in El Paso. Meanwhile, Elizabeth Ann Haninger graduated from Loretto Academy and also attended The College of Mines (UTEP). On February 12, 1947 he married "My Betsy", the love of his life at St. Patrick's Cathedral in El Paso. Over the next 13 years their marriage produced seven children. Charlie and Betsy were devoted to their children and although many days were spent attending their children's many extracurricular activities they also managed to enjoy tennis, golf, hunting, fishing, puzzles and bridge. Charlie loved playing tennis with his family and nothing caused him more satisfaction than using his merciless drop shot to his advantage. He was an avid fisherman who mastered the art of catching salmon in front of his beach house on Vancouver Island, British Columbia with Betsy and his children. His legendary skills with a shotgun are still trying to be replicated by his boys. Additionally, his ability to put jigsaw puzzles together and to complete crossword puzzles with Betsy in short order were equally impressive. Charlie lived a full and productive life that managed to touch virtually everybody he encountered in ways that exuded friendship, caring and commitment. He was an accomplished entrepreneur and had success in a number of diverse businesses including insurance, mining, real estate and his beloved oil business. His ability to raise so many children, earn so many friendships, and demonstrate financial success in so many businesses was a testament to his hard working character and passion for life. Of all of his accomplishments, his devotion to the Catholic Church, Betsy and the rest of his large family was most impressive. At one time or another, all of his sons worked for him and without exception he provided tremendous support to other family members as well as many of his friends. Only a month ago more than 40 family members and a number of close friends gathered to celebrate Charlie and Betsy's 60th wedding anniversary at Cachara Ranch outside of Dilley, Texas. Cachara Oil & Gas Co. was his last major business endeavor before he "officially" retired after numerous successful developments in the Austin Chalk play of central Texas. Cachara was named after his parents nick names, Cac and Charles. He was preceded in death by parents Carrie and Charles Edward Graham, Sr. Survivors include Charlie's loving wife Betsy, his sister Betty Carolyn Mason and brother-in-law Dr. Ben Young Mason of Ruidoso, New Mexico; his sons - Charles Edward Graham, III and his wife Laura Ann of Lakeway, Texas, Gerald Haninger Graham and his wife Kelli Jean of Ft. Worth, Texas, John Frank Graham of Austin, and Stephen Andrew Graham and his fiancé Mabel of Houston; his daughters - Carolyn Elizabeth McDermott and husband James Francis McDermott of Lakeway, Margaret Ann Graham-Bimler of Austin, Jane Shaw Ray and her fiancé Rick Harris of Cedar Creek; his grandchildren - David Michael Slover and his wife Ginger, Christopher Scott Slover and his wife Meghan, James Francis McDermott, Jr., Joseph Edward Bimler, Katherine Joy Bimler, Megan Elizabeth Graham Bimler, John Paul Bimler, Rory Laine Graham Jaggers and her husband Jim, Corie-Ann Graham, John Frank Graham, Jr., Brandon Scott Graham and his wife Meredith, Kristen Ann Graham, Rachel Elizabeth Graham, Jennifer Helen Shaw and her husband Michael, David Brandon Shaw, Carrie Badgett Graham, Austin Bennett Graham, and Clement Andrew Graham; and his great-grandchildren - Mason Michael Slover, Carson Graham Slover, Ethan Marley Shaw, Stella Edison Shaw, Leah Marie Graham and Betsy Graham Slover. Other survivors include sisters-in-law Harriett Marie Wagner and Carolyn Helena Haninger. Numerous special lifelong friends, nieces and nephews will also mourn Charlie's passing. The family will welcome friends from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 25, 2007 followed with a Rosary at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home in Oak Hill. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated by Father Samuel Hose at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 26, 2007 at Emmaus Catholic Church. The church is located at 1718 Lohman's Crossing Road, Lakeway, Texas, 78734. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice or Rancho 3M, a children's orphanage located one hour east of Juarez, Mexico. The orphanage has been in place for 37 years and serves 45 abandoned or abused children. Dean Adamek, Director, is Charlie's nephew and is also the grandson of Harriett Wagner, Betsy's sister. The address of Rancho 3M is Mexico Multiple Missions, P.O. Box 3660, Fabens, TX 79838 and the phone number is 915-204-5526.. http://www.mem.com