Frank Donald Graham

Frank Donald Graham CONCORD - Frank Donald Graham, 83, passed away on October 17, 2014, at Tucker Hospice House after a brief and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Don was born on April 8, 1931, in Rowan County, NC, the son of Marie Wise Graham and Frank E. Graham. He attended Mt. Ulla School, graduated from Catawba College in 1953, and received his Master's Degree in Education from Appalachian State Teachers College in 1961. While at Catawba he played varsity basketball, serving as captain of the team his senior year. Don served in the U.S. Army for two years with the Counter Intelligence Corps in Germany. Upon returning to civilian life, he began teaching biology and coaching at Boyden High School in Salisbury, NC, now Salisbury High School. He later became head basketball coach, athletic director and assistant principal at Boyden. He served as coach of the East-West All Star basketball game in 1966, winning the title. Leaving the teaching profession in 1966, Don joined his father in the family-owned Cabarrus Construction Company, now Graham Construction Company, in Concord, NC, where he worked until his retirement. He moved his family to Concord in 1969. Don was a life-long basketball fan and student of the game, especially with regard to his beloved UNC Tar Heels. He held season tickets in the Dean Dome from its opening in 1986, and traveled to seven Final Fours in which the Tar Heels played, witnessing first-hand the 2005 and 2009 national championships. Don was a former member of the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs of Concord. He served as campaign chairman and president of the United Way of Cabarrus County, president of the Concord Chamber of Commerce, and was on the Board of Directors and president of the Concord Boys Club. He also served on the Board of Directors of CK Federal Savings and Loan Association and Wachovia Bank. He was a long-time member of Cabarrus Country Club where he enjoyed golf and the many friendships he formed while pursuing his hobby. Don was a member of St. James Lutheran Church in Concord where he served as a Sunday school teacher, usher, and as a member of the church council and pastoral search and columbarium committees. Predeceasing him were his parents and his wife of 56 years, Betty Lou Graham. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Mills Graham, whom he married in October 2008; son, Michael D. Graham and companion, Suzie Finger of Concord; daughter, Jennie Graham Marshall (John) of Dallas, TX; two stepsons, Dr. Michael Mills (Lynn) and Chris B. Mills (Beth), both of Salisbury; grandchildren, Haley, Shelby, Grace and Graham Marshall of Dallas, TX, and two step grandchildren, Mary Margaret and Charlotte Mills of Salisbury. Also surviving are three brothers, Fred Graham (Frances) ofNewnan, GA, Jack Graham (Betty) of Burlington, NC, and Larry Graham (Laura) of Greensboro, NC. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for the outpouring of love and support from family and friends during this difficult time. In addition, the family is sincerely thankful for the care provided by the staff of Hospice and Palliative Care of Cabarrus County. A memorial service and celebration of Don's life will be held on Monday October 20, 2014 at 2 pm at St. James Lutheran Church, 104 Union St. S., Concord, NC. The family will receive friends after the service in the fellowship hall of the church. A private family burial will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to St. James Lutheran Church, 104 Union St. S., Concord, NC 28025, Forest Hills United Methodist Church (Improvement Fund), 265 Union St. N., Concord, NC 28025, or Hospie and Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081. Condolences may be left at www.wilkinsonfuneralhome.com. Wilkinson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for the Graham family.