Michael Ray Vandergraph

Michael (Mike) Ray Vandergraph, age 60, died early Thursday morning, April 28, 2022 at his home in Pearland, Texas. Mike was born in Joliet, Illinois on February 16, 1962 to Carl and Cora Vandergraph. Mike was the youngest of five children.
Mike grew up in Illinois until he was seventeen years old when his parents moved to Texas. He graduated from Liberty High School in Liberty, Texas. After high school, Mike worked at various places. He worked at Howards and K-Mart, both in Liberty, Texas. Mike tried a stint as a roustabout on an offshore oil rig. After this, he eventually moved to Jacksonville, Arkansas where he worked for a manufacturing plant making pots and pans.
There was something better waiting for Mike, and he found his place working as a customer service representative for Southwest Airlines where he was employed for over 25 years. During Mike's time with Southwest Airlines he worked in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and lastly in Houston, Texas.
Mike did not have many hobbies; but he did like collecting lighthouse and eagle figurines, and he also liked collecting model sailboats and ball caps. He also liked sports. You could usually catch him watching baseball, football, or basketball. Mike also loved bowling. He was an avid bowler. It would not be unusual for him to bowl on several bowling leagues per year.
Mike loved his family, especially his nieces and nephews. When they were all young, Mike was their "Uncle Buck". Mike also liked going to Christian concerts when he could. His last church affiliation was with Garden Road Baptist Church.
Michael Ray Vandergraph is survived by both his parents, Carl and Cora Vandergraph; his brother, Bruce Vandergraph of Liberty, Texas and his wife, Lisa; his brother, David Vandergraph of Baytown, Texas and his wife, Penny; his brother, Gary Vandergraph of Middleburg, Florida and his wife, Flora; and his sister, Barbara Anderson of Jacksonville, Arkansas. Mike is also survived by many nieces and nephews: Belinda Carrico of League City, Texas; Johnny Anderson of Raeford, North Carolina; Joe Vandergraph of Liberty, Texas; Mark Anderson of Jacksonville, Arkansas; Stacy Lumbreras of Baytown, Texas; Dexie Gallego of St. Augustine, Florida; Toni Smalling of Richwood, Texas; Kelly Messersmith of Cabot, Arkansas; and Ryan Vandergraph of Middleburg, Florida. He is also survived by great nieces and nephews: Anthony, Alyssa, Emily, Francisco Jr, Nathan, Zachary, Ashlyn, Madison, Gabriella, Hayden, Cheyenne, Savannah and Seanna.
The family will receive friends for a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. with a service to begin at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 9, 2022 at Garden Road Baptist Church in Pearland, Texas.
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of
Michael (Mike) Ray Vandergraph, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.