R.w. "Buzzy" Graham

R.W. "Buzzy" Graham

R. W. "Buzzy" Graham, 77, passed away on Friday, December 19, 2014, surrounded by family. Funeral services will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 21, 2014, at First United Methodist Church, Alexandria. Visitation will be held at the church from 2:00 p.m. until time of service. Officiating will be Rev. Donnie Wilkinson of First United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Alexandria Memorial Gardens.

Buzzy was born July 7, 1937, in Shreveport, LA to the late Bess and Warren Graham. Buzzy graduated from Bolton High School in 1955 and Louisiana State University in 1959. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Upon graduating from LSU, he enlisted in the U. S. Army National Guard where he attained the rank of Captain. Throughout his life he was active in the Alexandria Jaycees and the Alexandria/Pineville Chamber of Commerce. He was also a Shriner, a member of the Kiwanis Club, the LSU Alumni Association, and the Masonic Lodge where he was a past Master of Oliver Lodge No. 84.

In 1967, Buzzy was elected to the Louisiana State Legislature as one of the youngest delegates in the state. He was part of a tight-knit coalition of young lawmakers known as the "Young Turks". He was a delegate to the 1973 Louisiana Constitutional Convention. After his term in office, Buzzy returned to Alexandria to continue his work at Graham Agency Insurance Company. He remained in the insurance business until his retirement as Vice Chairman of Risk Services of Louisiana.

Buzzy was an avid hunter, fisherman, scuba diver and pilot. He enjoyed many years at his camp, Catfish Point Club, in Greenville, MS.

Buzzy is survived by his wife of 55 years, Carol Parker Graham; daughters, Ginger Niemann and husband, John, of Houston, TX, Leslie Letbetter, of Spring, TX, Piper Glasgow and husband, Ray, of Amite, LA and Peyton Mayeaux and husband, James, of Shreveport, LA; ten grandchildren, Ashton Niemann Keller (Zane), Chip Niemann, Kendall Niemann, Ashley Letbetter Green (Trey), Evans Glasgow, Braden Glasgow, Emily Glasgow, Thomas Mayeaux, Graham Mayeaux and Maxfield Mayeaux; and one great granddaughter, Chloe Grace Green. He is also survived by one brother, Dr. Larry Graham and wife, Peggy; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be John Niemann, Ray Glasgow, James Mayeaux, Chip Niemann, Evans Glasgow, Braden Glasgow, Thomas Mayeaux, Graham Mayeaux and Maxfield Mayeaux.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Building Fund at First United Methodist Church or the charity of the donor's choice.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. Maury Morrison and staff, Lisa Vizcarrondo, R.N. and CHRISTUS Cabrini Hospice.

Arrangements under the direction of John Kramer & Son Funeral Home.