Paul Graham

GRAHAM, PAUL Age 62 March 6, 2025. Loving father of David Graham & Rachel Graham. Beloved son of David & Sharon Graham. Dear brother of Mark Graham, John (Christine) Graham & Daniel (Shawn) Graham.
Paul was excitedly welcomed as the first child of David and Sharon Graham on Oct. 16, 1962. Paul grew up in Richmond, Michigan where he attended St. Augustine Elementary School. He attended Holy Cross High School in Marine City, Michigan where he excelled in his studies. Paul loved playing sports, fishing and waterskiing as well as spending time taking apart anything mechanical. Being the oldest of four boys, Paul was the de facto (self-proclaimed) leader of all activities and games – this is where Paul first developed his leadership and management skills! Growing up, Paul was known to have a mischievous side but it was always well-balanced with kindness and love for others.
After graduating High School Paul attended General Motors Institute in Flint and worked as a student coop at the Flint Truck Assembly plant making him a GMI "lifer". His true passion at college was his fraternity, ATO. Paul pledged as a freshman and worked tirelessly for the fraternity as the house manager and was ultimately voted President of his ATO chapter, twice. There are many stories about the numerous adventures and misadventures of Paul and his pals. His bond with the friends he met during college have continued and grown over the last 45 years. Truly, his ATO brothers are his best friends.
Upon graduating from GMI, Paul began a career at General Motors, spanning over four decades, holding numerous positions in both Manufacturing Engineering & Manufacturing Assembly. Paul started in the Fort Wayne Truck Assembly facility and had supervisory and maintenance roles. He transferred to the Body Manufacturing group in Pontiac and held numerous engineering roles while in the group. Paul was promoted into his first leadership role at the Baltimore Truck Assembly plant as a Maintenance & Paint Superintendent. Marian and Paul were married in 1994. She moved to Maryland to support him in his GM adventures. Paul was promoted again and returned to Fort Wayne as the Body Shop Area Manager in 1996.
Paul was then given the opportunity to lead the project launch of the new full-size Truck platform in Silao, Mexico. During this international assignment, he acted as the focal point between GM de Mexico and GM Product Engineering in Warren. After repatriating to the US three years later, Paul became the Area Manager at the Truck Assembly plant in Shreveport, Louisiana. Paul had a short stint in the Oklahoma City plant prior to its closing. He then moved to the Fairfax plant in Kansas City, Missouri.
Paul was appointed as the Director of the Corvette plant in 2008. He was the face of Corvette at many fan events, including the Indy 500 when the Corvette was the pace car. He then moved to his dream job as the Plant Executive Director of the full size SUV Arlington, Texas facility. Paul finished his career as the Global Body Manufacturing Engineering Executive Director in Warren, Michigan. Paul retired from General Motors in 2024, During Paul's career, he mentored many manufacturing & engineering employees, ensuring they had the tools & competencies needed for them personally to grow and succeed. Paul Graham has left a legacy within GM Manufacturing.
In his most important role, Paul was the proud father of two wonderful children. Many of the favorite memories David and Rachel share include the times spent in and around the water. There was always a pool in the backyard or down the street. David could swim before he could walk and Rachel was famous for being one of the youngest to ever jump off the high diving board with Paul's help and encouragement. Paul also shared his love of boating with his kids, spending weekends tubing at Grapevine Lake in Texas and going on day trips in their boat in Cape Coral, Florida. Recently, Rachel acted as the captain of Paul's boat at her cousin Kerryn's Bridal Weekend.
Another fun family activity was traveling by trains, planes and automobiles! On these trips, the kids were introduced to natural wonders at parks, amazing animals at zoos and aquariums, and many fascinating things at science museums. They also had lots of active fun skiing, hiking and playing at beaches and lakes. The family made it to 49 states – missing only Hawaii due first to COVID, then volcanos, and then fires.
The family traveled back to see family in Michigan each summer and every Christmas. There was lots of holiday food and fun. Each year Paul's brothers – Mark, John (Christine), Dan (Shawn), and their families met on Christmas day often included sledding and snowball fights, and always games and card playing. In the summer, there were many Graham camping trips with biking, boating, and nighttime fires. They also had great times at Uncle Keith's house with boating, swimming and pie eating contests. It was wonderful that David and Rachel were able to create such great relationships with their grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins who lived far away from them.
Paul and Marian were divorced in January of this year.
David and Rachel were both involved in the Cybercats Robotics team at Stoney Creek High School following the lead of some of their cousins who were involved in FIRST robotics. Paul used his technical talents to provide coaching and encouragement. Paul enjoyed helping them build the robot and cheering on the team at the competitions. It is a point of family pride that David was the Robot driver the first time the team qualified for the World Championships and Rachel was the coach on the field when the team earned their first blue banner. Go Cybercats!
Paul was always ready to share his engineering knowledge with David during his Mechanical Engineering studies at Purdue and during his career at General Motors. He has encouraged Rachel as she completes her Chemical Engineering education at Michigan State and during her internships. Paul was always a proud papa, bragging about their successes.
Paul relocated to Cape Coral after retiring and was able to spend much time with his brothers who also had homes in the area. Paul's parents, Dave and Sharon, were able to have an extended visit this winter with their children. They enjoyed the quality time in the nice weather with many family dinners and sunsets by the water. Paul's parents will cherish this last time they had together.
Memorial Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025 from 11:00am until time of Memorial Service at 1:00pm at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons 54880 Van Dyke at 25 Mile Rd. (SHELBY TOWNSHIP).
In lieu of flowers donations are welcome to Cyber Cats Foundation for STEM, and they can be mailed to 6640 Cobb Dr. Sterling Heights, MI 48313.
Share memories with the family at their "On Line Guest Book" @ WujekCalcaterra.com