Harry Childress Graham Jr.

1920 - 2020

Harry Childress Graham, Jr. was born on December 13, 1920 and entered into eternal life on March 11, 2020 at the age of 99. He is survived by his only child, Harry Childress Graham, III (Julie), his granddaughter, Colleen Graham Martel (Brett), his grandson, Harry Childress Graham IV (Lyndsey), three great-grandchildren, Olivia Rose Martel, Grayson Michael Graham, and Greer Harper Graham, and many other loving relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 51 years, June Hutchinson Graham, and his second wife of 12 years, Carol Taylor Graham, his parents, Harry Childress Graham, Sr. and Sarah Emmett Graham, and his brothers, Robert, Donald, and William and his sister, Sr. Maurice Therese. Harry was a native of New Orleans. He attended Immaculate Conception grammar school, graduated from Jesuit High School (1938) and Louisiana State University with a degree in mechanical engineering. At the age of 21 Harry enlisted In the United States Marine Corps in 1941 where he was immediately stationed in the Pacific theater and became an aviator and radar operator. During the course of World War II his plane was shot down by the enemy and he survived two days in the ocean went to life raft before being rescued. He was Honorably Discharged from active duty in 1945. He re-enlisted in 1951 and was sent over-seas again to fight in the Korean War until 1953. He received numerous medals and citations from the Marine Corps during his service in both wars. He then worked for Gulf Engineering Co. and shortly thereafter went to work for Pittsburgh Corning Corporation as an engineer and remained with Pittsburgh Corning for the next 30 years. Upon his retirement he became an entrepreneur starting Vita-Stat Corporation for the transfer and preservation of film for the Sugar Bowl and other entities as well as a co-founder of Life Enterprises Inc. which placed blood pressure machines throughout New Orleans. In addition, he assisted a life-long friend in the game time distribution of football programs for Tulane University (where he also sold tickets for admission to the Tulane football games) and the New Orleans Saints including three Super Bowl's. He loved to work hard and passed that enthusiasm on to his son and his two grandchildren through a lifetime of example. His love for spending time with his family and friends was only surpassed by the devotion he exhibited for his grandchildren. Harry was well loved and affectionately known for his good nature and generous heart. He will be deeply missed by his family and by all those he touched. He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a charitable donation in his memory to the Little Sisters of the Poor (1655 McGill Avenue, Mobile, Alabama 36604) in which Order Harry's sister, Mary, spent her life serving the elderly. To view and sign the guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com