Maurice Julian Graham Jr.

It is with great sadness that the family of Maurice Julian Graham, Jr. 

announce his passing on January 1st, 2025 in Covington, Louisiana. Julian was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on December 11,1942. He was preceded in death by his parents, Maurice Julian and Dorothy, his sister, Olivia, and his wife of 47 years, Barbara. He is survived by his wife, Ellen; his children, Julian, Sarah DesRoches (Cary), Wesley Martin, and Susannah Bardo (Matthew) and nine beloved grandchildren, Ashley McDuffie, John Graham, Jane Marson, Graham DesRoches, Jack DesRoches, Graham Martin, Brandon Bardo, Joshua Bardo and Thomas Bardo, as well as four great grandchildren, Calci McDuffie, Caleb McDuffie, Parker Graham and Londyn Graham, all who lovingly called him Duney, his childhood nickname. All remember him as an intelligent, family oriented, God-loving man who always had a smile on his face and filled the family home with love, laughter and warmth plus a lot of animals.

 Julian graduated from Byrd High School in Shreveport and went on to graduate from Louisiana Tech in Ruston with a bachelor’s degree in Business, where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity. He enjoyed golfing, was an avid runner and loved to travel. He was always known to be kind and gentle with an incredible sense of humor and unwavering faith in God. He and Barbara raised their children in Broadmoor Baptist Church where his strong faith was reflected in his Sunday School teachings.

 Julian had a long and well-respected career in the automobile industry in Shreveport, Scottsdale, Arizona, Richmond, Virginia and New Orleans. He started his career in sales in Shreveport and over many years of hard work and dedication, owned six dealerships and multiple related businesses before retiring to focus on time with his beloved family and animals.

 Julian and Barbara started an animal rescue foundation called “All God’s Creatures” while living on a historic farm in New Kent, Virginia, called Marl Hill. They rescued abused, neglected and unwanted animals, giving them a loving sanctuary. They always had numerous dogs, cats, horses, Highland cows, chickens, peacocks, goats and anything else they thought needed help and love. They ran their rescue for almost 20 years, moving their foundation to Nova Scotia, Canada for several years before returning home to Louisiana to be closer to their ever-expanding family who will miss and remember him every day.

 Julian is survived by his wife of nine years, Ellen Murphy Graham from Baton Rouge, originally from Shreveport. It has been said that grass never grew under their feet as they both enjoyed travelling together with family and friends, entertaining at their country home on Lee Rd. and getting involved in First Baptist Church of Covington. Living life to its fullest with lots of love and laughter was their mantra. Duney always said that “everyone needs someone to love, something to do and something to look forward to” and they had that in spades. 

 Services for Julian will take place on Thursday, January 9th at The Chapel at First Baptist Church in Covington, Louisiana, starting with visitation at 10 am, followed by the service at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations be made to the Northshore Humane Society, located in Covington, Louisiana, northshorehumane.org.