Charles W. Graham Jr.

Charles W. Graham, Jr. (Chuck) left this world on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 after an extended illness. He was born on June 1, 1943 and leaves behind family, many friends and a list of students and clients who depended on his abilities to help them improve their lives. As Henry Ford said, “The whole secret of a successful life is to find out what is one’s destiny, and then do it.” Chuck achieved this well.

Chuck used his education from UNC-Charlotte and Western Carolina University to begin his employment at SCC (STI) in the late ’60s. He became the first guidance counselor there, a GED certification coordinator as well as the first Director of Evening Classes begun by STI in the 60s. He relished that time when he could help so many people of all ages from Jackson and neighboring counties learn to find successful training for occupations that led to being productive parts of a working society. The second half of his career was spent as a Certified Financial Planner. Both professions encouraged those he worked with in learning how to plan for a good life. His claim to fame was earning his Boy Scout Eagle Badge at the age of 12. He also served in the Air National Guard, based in Charlotte, on their Crash Rescue Squad.

Chuck’s parents were the late Charles William Graham, Sr. and Rebecca Hartman Graham. His late wife, Cary White Graham, died in 1987. Surviving are a son, Charles William Graham III (Bill) and his grand-daughters Ada, Iris and Olive Graham and Zoe Weisenauer. He married Penelope Stephens Graham in 1994; her daughters are Eliza Stephens Stroh and Spaine Stephens. He is survived by a sister, Susan Graham Mitchell (Ted), nieces Teri Lutz (Brady) and Kelly Geissler, nephews Ted Mitchell (Tamara) and the late Michael Mitchell. 

Chuck enjoyed Ed’s Sunday School classes, singing in church choirs, meeting new people, hiking, golf, traveling, genealogy and sharing his vast variety of one-liner jokes that would keep many entertained for hours. Chuck’s motto follows a Dr. Seuss quote to a tee: “Don’t cry because it is over; smile because it happened.”

The family extends special thanks to Adult Daycare at the Jackson County Senior Center, Haywood Lodge and especially Brookdale at Walden Ridge in Asheville, for the wonderful care and attention Chuck received during his final year of life.

The family hold a visitation from 3:30pm–5pm on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at Appalachian Funeral Service in Sylva. In lieu of flowers, contributions to a charity of one’s choice are welcome.