Graham W. VanNote

1937 - 2024

Graham W. Van Note, 87, passed away at his home in Annapolis, MD, on December 24, 2024. Graham was born in Laurelton (Brick), NJ, on March 23, 1937, the son of Graham Ferry Van Note and Helen Reid (Clayton) Van Note. He grew up with his five siblings on the family farm near the Metedeconk River. Graham was a proud member of the Garnet Gulls varsity football team at Point Pleasant High School and was recognized as a distinguished alumnus in 2004. Following his graduation from high school in 1955, Graham enlisted in the US Navy. During this time, he was part of the Nuclear Weapons Training Center, Pacific, seeing the world aboard an aircraft carrier. His Navy service included time in San Diego and Albuquerque. This was the start of his love of the Southwest. After his honorable discharge, Graham attended the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and completed his degree in accounting in 1965. After college Graham began his 24-year distinguished career as a Special Agent of the FBI. He advanced to the level of Supervisory Special Agent and Unit Chief, specializing in intelligence investigations. He was selected as the Department of Justice representative to the National War College (1982-83) at Fort McNair, and was named to the Surveys and Investigations Executive Staff of the House Committee on Appropriations (1986-89) first as Assistant Director and then as Director. He greatly enjoyed his opportunities to travel the world during this part of his tenure. Among his many professional accomplishments, he managed the counterintelligence case against Richard Miller, the first FBI agent accused of espionage, in 1984-85. Graham retired from the Bureau in 1989 but did not stay retired for long. Some of his retirement jobs included remodeling work and conducting background investigations, but he didn't let work get in the way of enjoying life. He cultivated his love of gardening each year (growing the best tomatoes ever); enjoyed frequent fishing trips in Baja with friends; was frequently found in his woodshop making tables, bookcases, and framing tiles; was continuously engaged in indoor and outdoor home improvement projects; and enthusiastically embraced his love of road trips. Graham drove solo to his beloved Southwest twice a year, even as recently as October 2023, and traveled with friends to Florida for a couple of weeks each late winter. Graham is survived by his daughter, Valerie Van Note-Kreider (Marc); grandson, Vance; siblings, Dorothy Engelhardt, Florence Curreri, George Van Note; longtime friend, Mary Wiehl; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother John Van Note and sister Mary Morris. A time of gathering and remembrance will be held at Lasting Tributes Funeral Care, 814 Bestgate Road, Annapolis, MD 21401 on Thursday, January 2, 2025. The time of gathering and visitation will begin at 11:00 am, followed by a service of remembrance at noon. Online condolences may be made at www.LastingTributesFuneralCare.com