Stewart Graham

GRAHAM, Stewart

Stewart Graham's family would like to let you know that his strength of character, quest for winning, adventure, and gentlemanly manner have completed their purpose here in this physical world. Stewart M. Graham left us on July 21, 2025.

He's been called by our Lord to come home and join his wife of 69 years, D. Delle. Though he has missed her greatly, never missing a chance to share a photo album of memorable photographs created by D. Delle's younger sister, Pats, he left a mark here on earth with his sons, Ward and Bart. His strength of character and passion for life will continue through Ward and his wife, Bettina; as well as through Bart, his wife, Susan, their children, Madison and Rivers.

Stewart spent his last five and a half years with wonderful friends at his residence Lenbrook, joining a variety of friends at "his table" in The Brook restaurant there, with his exercise group (for which he was renowned for his consistent early attendance), playing Bingo, and joining his poker buddies three times a week. In his last poker game, he managed to "win the last hand he ever played."

Stewart encouraged all of his family and friends to honor themselves by continuing on with his zeal for life and never-ending pursuit of blue horizons just over the next ridge. He possessed a devout belief in himself that drove him forward allowing him to become a self-made man of respect, honor, aspiration, and the dignity that he passed on to his family.

Though traveling most weeks for work, he always found the time to be present at swim meets all over the Southeast and the nation, as well as attending football games, basketball, baseball games, and involving his sons in a youth character building program, Y Indian Guides.

Stewart was born March 13, 1928. He grew up in Louisville, Kentucky with two sisters, Claris Lee (the oldest), and Barbara, as well as his younger brother, Don. His mother, Ola Graham raised them as a single parent during The Great Depression with an always warm respect for the church and their religion, a nurturing and passionately educational environment. This is probably most evident by his desire to work in his first job selling airplane rides at Bowman Field, Louisville, at the age of nine. Even then he was illustrating his ambition and aspirations to become more and not settle for mere average normalcy.

Attending Male High School In Louisville Stewart, he excelled as a football player both offensively and defensively. The Orlando Sentinel named him "All Southrn" offensive and defensive guard on December 22, 1945. He was also named All-Kentucky by the Louisville Courier Journal. This led to Coach Bobby Dodd of the Georga Tech Yellow Jackets to pursue and sign Stewart to a full scholarship in 1950. During his years at Georgia Tech he also completed the Air Force ROTC program.

Stewart then met his wife, Eudelle Lanier, a farm girl from Metter, Georgia, who was creating a life for herself attending college and working. Stewart and Delle were married on June 30, 1950.

After graduating from Georgia Tech in 1950, Stewart joined the USA Air Force and became a pilot and aircraft commander. As a captain, he also became a Squadron Leader. His flight training was in T-6s, with most of his flight hours in KC-97s refueling aircraft and B-29 Bombers. During the Air Force years, Delle worked as the Executive Secretary to the general taff personnel for the Second Air Force Strategic Air Command in Barksdale, Louisiana. Stewart and Delle recalled this as the happiest times of their lives together.

Stewart began his professional career with a brief stint with Texaco, but spent most of his career with Anaconda Wire & Cable.

Stewart loved golf and enjoyed playing every Saturday that he could at Vestavia Country Club in Birmingham, Alabama. He and Delle also played as couples on Sundays after attending their church Vestavia Hills Baptist Church.

Continuing their love of golf, Stewart joined Cherokee Town and Country Club after the family moved back to Atlanta.

On November 28, 2016, Stewart was presented with the National Defense Service Medal by the Air Force. It was a formal military presentation delivered after a sixty-year delay of recognition.

Stewart was also inducted into the "Kentucky Colonels" by Governor Julian Carroll in 1978, an honorary and charitable organization. While historically associated with military roles, The title now signifies a commitment to community service and philanthropy.

In addition to his mother and father, Stewart was preceded in death by his sisters, Clarice Lee and Barbara; as well as his younger brother, Don. Stewart is survived by Ward and his wife, Bettina; Bart and his wife, Susan; granddaughter, Madison; grandson, Rivers; as well as nieces, Betty, Sherrie; and nephews, Mark and Richard.

But of all these things what impacts us the most is that, "Dad always believed in us."

We invite you to attend either or both of Stewart's memorials. The first is on Friday, September 19, 2025, 11:30 AM at Georgia National Cemetery, 1080 Scott Hudgens Drive, Canton, GA 30114. Tel: 770 479 9300. This will be a military service, lasting about thirty minutes. Stewart and Delle will be interred together following the service.

You are also invited to a memorial for Stewart where he resided for the last five and a half years on Saturday, September 20, 2025, 11:00 AM, at Lenbrook - Atlanta Residence, 3747 Peachtree Road Atlanta, GA 30319, in the Event Center, Tel: 404-233-3000.

In lieu of flowers, memorials and donations may be shared with Georgia National Cemetery of the Department of Veteran Affairs, Lenbrook – Atlanta, Louisville Male High School Alumni Association, The First Baptist Church of Roswell, or Emory St. Joseph's Hospital in Sandy Springs.