Richard Terrell Graham

1942 - 2009

Richard Terrell (Terry) Graham, 66, of Blacksburg, Va., passed away Wednesday, January 21, 2009. Born February 6, 1942, in Wilmington, Del., he graduated from The University of Delaware, received his doctorate from The University of Nebraska and spent 36 years serving the Virginia Tech family as a professor in the Education Department. We will miss his smile, sense of humor, and his passion for teaching and mentoring. He enjoyed competitive tennis and loved teaching it professionally. He was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Frances Graham. Terry is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Linda Graham; daughter and son-in-law, Jocy and Wayne Surface; son and daughterin-law, Rick and Jodi Graham; four grandchildren, Trevan, Trent, Lynden, and Logan Surface; brother, sister-in-law, and nephew, Norris, Chris, and Jeffery Graham; Uncle Charles; Aunt Bobbie Robertson; and four cousins; mother-in-law, Betty Bostic; father-in-law, Jessie Bostic and wife, Linda; and brother-in-law, Rick Bostic, wife, Sherry, niece, Amanda, and nephew, Bradley. Please join the family in celebrating Terry's life as a professor, husband, father, grahampa, and friend. A memorial service will be held 5 p.m. Saturday, February 21, 2009, in the War Memorial Chapel, Drillfield Drive, Virginia Tech Campus. The family will receive friends in their home after the memorial. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society, 2840 Electric Road, Roanoke, Va. 24018. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg, Va.