Joseph Earl Graham

Joseph Graham Obituary

Joseph Earl Graham

Our Earl, Grandpa, Gramps & GP was taken from us on April 2, 2011, ending his long and terrible journey brought on by the debilitating effects of Alzheimer's disease, just 18 days short of his 86th birthday. He is now free of the confusion and memory loss caused by the disease that steals everything. We all feel the loss of Earl's happy spirit and huge, contagious smile.

Earl was born in Oklahoma City on April 20, 1925 to Angus & Evelyn Graham. Earl's first wife, Dorothy passed in 1984.

When the Dust Bowl hit Oklahoma along with The Great Depression, Earl and his Dad left for the west coast, settling in Long Beach, CA. Earl, a boy of just 12, did most of the driving on their trip west. As a teenager Earl worked "The Pike" in Long Beach for a dollar a day. During WWII Earl joined the Merchant Marines in 1942, which turned into a 9-year stint delivering supplies to many South African ports.

He was a part owner of Big O Tires in Reno and also a member of the Free and Accepted Masons and the Gamma Etta Kappa fraternity until the group disbanded.

Earl was the best "honey doer" around, especially working with wood. He never knew an enemy. He was the most terrific Grandpa, teaching Jillian and Ashleigh to drive, also teaching Adam the art of woodworking.

Earl is survived by his wife of 25 years Marlene Heuer-Graham, sister Lois Montgomery of Hawaii, stepsons John and Larry Heuer (Starla), daughters-in-law Chrissie Heuer, Jennifer Heuer-Hofheins (Steve) & Susie Heuer; grandchildren Jillian, Ashleigh, Adam, Austin and Lexi Heuer also Tiffany (Adam) Reed & Dustin Snell, and great-grandchildren Markell, Devon and Jenna June. A memorial service with Celebration of Life immediately following is scheduled for 2pm, Friday, April 29, 2011at Walton Sparks Funerals & Cremations, 1745 Sullivan Lane. If you would like to relate a story about Earl, please feel free to join us. If you choose not to speak, our family friend the Minister will read it for you. Earl has chosen to make a full anatomical body donation to Life Legacy for research.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Earl's honor to the Alzheimer's Association, 1301 Cordone Ave., Suite 180, Reno, 89502; or the Nevada Humane Society, 2825 B Longley Ln., Reno, 89502.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Reno Gazette Journal and Lyon County News Leader on Apr. 24, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Graham

4 Entries

Cliff & Bonnie Mooney

May 11, 2011

Dear Marlene and Family,

So sorry to hear about the lose of Earl. He was a wonderful man, always had a precious smile, and tried to cheer everyone up. He and Marlene were a very happy couple, and did about everything they wanted to do. They shared the same interests and love for life. Earl you will be missed. I know you are smiling down on us from Heaven. You will be remembered forever. God Bless you Marlene for taking such good care of him.

Our Love to you and the family!

April 25, 2011

My husband, Jerry Graham and I are very sad to hear of the death of his father Earl Graham. Jerry is the son of Earl and his now deceased wife Dorothy. Jerry has a daughter Jody who has 5 children and lives in Las Vegas. He is now happily married to Irene.
May God grant his father peace.

Jerry and Irene Graham

Nichole Thomas

April 25, 2011

Dearest Mimi and Family,
I am so very sorry to hear of gramps passing! Summers, vacations and time spent with your family were amongst some of my favorite childhood memories. Gramps was always the centerpiece, with his humor, infectious laughter and his willingness and enthusiasm to dance with Jill and me to our crazy music. His love for Mimi and family has always been an inspiration in my adult life.
Many Condolences,

Nichole Medina Thomas and Family

Patsy [Rogers} McIntosh

April 24, 2011

Dearest Marlene and family: Mac and I were so sorry to hear of Earl's passing. Neither of us ever meet him, but he sounds like a wonderful guy.
Please send me your home address so we can write once in awhile, and also your e-mail address.
Our e-mail address is "[email protected]", our home is:
1925 Parkway Circle
Durant, OK 74701
Phone: 580-924-6689
I don't know if you knew Claude(Mac) F. McIntosh and I got married July of 2006. He and Fran came and lived in Oklahoma for 13 years, then moved back to Carson City. He called one day to apologize, for not calling me when Fran passed away.
He finally sold the place in Carson. So we live in Oklahoma now full
-time.
We still hear from Bonnie and Cliff.
We are planning to make a trip to Reno for Mac to pickup his gift (for 50 yrs) in the Operating Engineers #3.
Will hope to give you a call while there.
Again sorry for the lost of your loved one.
Two ole friends, Patsy and Mac

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results