Sam Dixon Graham

1920 - 2023

GRAHAM, Sam Dixon, M.D., 102, of Richmond, Va., died July 2, 2023. He was the widower of Jane Warwick O'Neill Graham, his wife of almost 77 years. Born in Norton, Va. on November 5, 1920, he was the son of Sam Graham and Ruth Flanary Graham. He graduated from Wise High School in 1938 and attended the University of Virginia. In 1946, he graduated from the University of Virginia School of Medicine. Dr. Graham interned at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital, where he served as Chief of Physical Medicine from 1947 to 1949. He was on active duty in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1949, with the rank of Lt. USNR. Dr. Graham had urological training at the University of Virginia. He practiced Urology in Staunton, Va. from 1953 to 1985. He was the Chief of Urology at King's Daughters Hospital and Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center. Dr. Graham was on the staff of Waynesboro Community Hospital, Waynesboro, Va. and Stonewall Jackson Hospital, Lexington, Va. He was Visiting Professor of Urology at the University of Virginia.

Dr. Graham was a member of the Augusta County Medical Society, Virginia Medical Society, American Medical Association, Southern Society of Urological Surgeons, Mid-Atlantic Urological Association, American Urological Association and honorary member of the Southeastern Urological Association. He was a Founding Member of the American Association of Clinical Urology. Dr. Graham was Secretary and Treasurer of the Mid-Atlantic Urological Association for five years and was President for one year. He was on the Executive Committee of the American Urological Committee for 11 years and served as President for one year.

Dr. Graham served as a Trustee of the UVA Medical School Foundation Board and also served on the Board of Mary Baldwin College and Stuart Hall School. He was on the Staunton City Council, Staunton, Va. from 1964 to 1968, elected Mayor of Staunton from 1966 to 1968 and was on the Finance Committee for four years. He served on the Board of Planters Bank and Trust Co. from 1965 to 1990 and was Chairman of the Board for four years. Dr. Graham was President of the Kiwanis Club, Staunton Country Club and Saints and Sinners. He was a member of the Staunton Industrial Development Committee, first Chairman of the Staunton Recreation Program and Chairman of the Staunton Downtown Association. Dr. Graham served as Senior Warden and Trustee of Trinity Episcopal Church. He was on the Budget Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Virginia for three years and served as Chairman one year.

Dr. Graham received a Citation for Meritorious Service from the Presidents Committee of Employment of the Handicapped and the Roy M. Hoover Award for work with the handicapped. He was given the Outstanding Medical Alumni Award for 1997, A.O.A. Alumni Award. Dr. Graham was listed in Who's Who in America and was the author of several medical papers. He received a Varsity Letter in Basketball at UVA and was a member of Sons of the American Revolution.

Dr. Graham married Jane Warwick O'Neill on March 28, 1946. They lived in Staunton, Virginia from 1953 to 1997. At that time, they moved to The Hermitage at Cedarfield.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Ruth Flanary Graham; a brother, Robert F. Graham; and two grandsons, Graham McCormick and William McCormick.

Dr. Graham is survived by four children, Dr. Sam Dixon Graham Jr. (Lily), Gordon Craig Graham (Elaine), Dr. Richard Warwick Graham and Sallie Trigg Graham (Jim Smith); and his grandchildren, Sarah Graham Seward (Timothy), Emily Graham Teeter (Jay), Carter Graham Holt (Mark), Richard Graham Jr. (Gracie), Harrison Graham (Elizabeth), Karsten Graham, Berend Graham, Gordon McCormick (Meredith) and Catherine McCormick. He had 18 great-grandchildren at last count.

Funeral services will be held 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 19, at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 12291 River Road, Richmond. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Red Cross or Feed More.