Gary Graham

Gary Graham lived for his family. He passed away unexpectedly, yet peacefully, at his longtime Sebastopol home on Saturday, May 29, 2010. Just six months shy of his 60th birthday. Gary lived his 59 years loving his family, the outdoors, and his work. Gary was born in San Jose, Calif. on November 9, 1950 to Lawrence and Elizabeth Graham. He grew up surfing, playing with friends in the neighborhood, and later, playing football, wrestling, and working at Dick's supermarket. He worked with his dad, brother, and others doing construction until he joined PG&E. A dedicated family man, his work ethic paralleled this dedication and he spent 27 years working for PG&E, primarily as a lineman. One of his proudest work memories was when Gary was climbing a PG&E pole during a major storm and the newspaper snapped a photo of him, forever making a record of his dedication. He spent a lot of time in the air, and really enjoyed the line work he did for PG&E in the company helicopter. Gary loved the outdoors and received a degree in Wildlife Management from Humboldt State University. He loved Canada and spend many summers in British Columbia at a fishing lodge that is like a second home to the Graham family. He later brought his own family to the lodge for many years and continued to vacation here, taking his last trip in the summer of 2008. Gary had magnetic kindness and spent many hours volunteering in the community. He was a valuable asset to the police department, serving for many years on the Graffitti-removal task force. He was a caretaker of many and was generous to a degree that could never be matched. His four grandsons were his light and he loved them dearly. Gary loved baseball and he never missed his 10-year-old grandson's baseball games. Actually, it would be hard-pressed for him to actually miss any of the San Francisco Giant's baseball games! Gary is a rare gem, and was lucky enjoy to find, and marry Carol Graham. Their 31-year marriage is a jewel and an inspiration. Many wish for this one love and their love is what dreams are made of. Gary is survived by Carol; daughter Jennifer Burke and her family, husband RJ, sons Clayton, Michael, and Austin; daughter Shannon Lowell and her family, husband Cliff and son Walker; parents Lawrence and Elizabeth Graham; sister Sydney Cowley and her family, husband Bob, son Dean, granddaughters Samantha and Madison; brother Ron Graham and his family, wife Kim, and children Devyn, Logan, Anna, Alex, and Emma. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to a charity of your choice. A celebration of his life will be held today, at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 3, 2010 at the Sebastopol United Methodist Church.