Craig Graham

Graham, Craig, 51, of Naples, Fla., and Wichita, Downing-Frye Realty Broker Associate, died unexpectedly Friday morning, May 26, 2006. Craig first purchased a place in Naples in 1990 and moved there full-time from Kansas in 1999. In Naples, Craig re-established his longtime career as a Realtor with his wife, Marlene. Over the next seven years, Craig worked for Coldwell Banker, VIP Realty, John R. Wood Realtors, and Downing-Frye Realty, achieving amazing success in a short period of time. He and his wife expanded their real estate team to a three-county area and even did property shows in England. In Kansas, he worked for years with his parents at Graham Realtors, Inc., before opening up his own business, Craig Graham Realtors. After leaving Wichita and before moving to Naples, Craig took a sabbatical from the real estate business to hit the road with his wife and two children, travelling all 50 states twice. The first journey emphasized patriotism and family values. The second journey was a volunteerism adventure during which he and his family appeared on Oprah. Their adventures were also documented on The View with Barbara Walters, Donnie & Marie, Today, CNN, PBS, Ladies' Home Journal, and hundreds more publications and shows throughout America and the world. The journeys culminated into the book, "Headfirst Into America." Craig is survived by his wife of nearly 23 years, Marlene Graham of Naples, Fla.; daughter, Courtney; and young son, Collier; mother, Betty Graham of Wichita; brothers, Bill Graham and his wife Kristi of Wichita, David Graham and wife Laura of Wichita; sisters, Mary McCormick and husband Mike of Wichita, Janet Anders and husband Tim of Plano, Texas; half-sister, Pam Galliart and husband Clancy of Halstead, Kan.; and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by brother Alex Graham, and his father Alex George Graham. Friends and relatives are more than invited to say good-bye to this great individual at his viewing on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Muller-Thompson Funeral Home, 2011 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, Fla. Craig's funeral will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, at St. Ann's Church, 475 9th Avenue South (corner of 3rd St. So. and 9th Ave. So.). For those who would prefer to make a donation, please do so to his favorite charity, the Leukemia Society in 10681 Airport Road, Suite 21, Naples, FL 34109.