Patrick J. GRAHAM

(Age 94)

One of Colville's best-known businessmen and civic servants has passed away. Patrick J. Graham died peacefully at his home overlooking Lake Rosanna on August 21, 2025, at the age of 94 years old. Patrick was best-known for his dedicated service to the Colville and surrounding communities as owner-publisher of the Statesman-Examiner newspaper. He was also noted for his continuous involvement in community events and organizations.

The Rosary will be held on Thursday, August 28, at 5:30 p.m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Colville, followed by the Funeral Mass on Friday, August 29, at 9 a.m.

Patrick was born October 24, 1930, in Portland, OR. He was the only child of Charles and Rosanna Graham. Charles was employed at the Oregonian newspaper but decided to seek his own small business and moved his family to northeast Washington. The family ended up in Northport in 1946, where Patrick entered high school in his junior year.

The family moved to Colville in 1947, where Charles purchased an interest in the Colville Examiner from Warren Scott. There were two newspapers in Colville, the other known as The Statesman Index, which was owned by Ray Price. Charles became partners with Price in 1948. They combined the two newspapers creating The Statesman-Examiner. The Grahams took sole ownership in 1954. Patrick graduated from Colville High School in 1948. He then enrolled at the University of Montana where he earned a BA in Journalism in 1952. Patrick was in the college ROTC program graduating as a 2nd Lieutenant. He served as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant in 1954.

Following his service to the country, Patrick enrolled in graduate school at the University of Minnesota. He returned home in 1955 to join his father at the Statesman-Examiner. He became co-publisher with his father in 1962, then became publisher in 1983 upon the death of his father. He also opened Kelly's Office Supplies located across the street from the newspaper. Patrick was also president of Okanogan TV, Inc., a low power television station in Omak.

In the late 1980s, Patrick purchased the Tri-County Tribune in Deer Park. In December 1992, Patrick sold both newspapers to American Publishing Company located in Marion, IL, which operated 354 newspapers throughout the United States and in Canada. APC later changed its name to Horizon Publications.

Through the years, Patrick and wife, Carole, have traveled extensively including four trips around the world during 38 years of marriage.

He was always active in civic affairs. He was best known for being a co-founder of Colville Rendezvous Days in 1982. The first Rendezvous celebration was held at the former Friedman's Thrift Store on South Main in Colville. The three-day event was moved to the Colville City Park the following year.

Patrick's civic activities list is long and worth mentioning. He was a member of the Colville Jaycees, and past president of the Colville Chamber of Commerce. He was pageant chairman for the Colville Centennial in 1976 and past chairman of Colville "Alive" sports and convention group. He also was the longest serving board member for the Chamber of Commerce. He also served as chairman on the

Parking and Parks Commission and was chairman of the 1986 Bicentennial Celebration. He was past chairman of the Colville Volunteer Food and Resource Center.

He was a past member of Colville Benchwarmers and past board member of the Stevens County Historical Society. Patrick was appointed to the Washington State Gambling Commission by Gov. Booth Gardner. He served as a commissioner from 1984 to 1995 and was chairman five of those years. Patrick was a devout Catholic and was proud to be descended from one of the oldest Catholic

families in the Colville area dating back to 1876.

Patrick was named the Catholic Church's "Man of the Year" in 2006. One year later, Patrick was instrumental in the construction of "Rodena", a Catholic low-income apartment complex located on the 200 block of South Wynne Street in Colville.

In retirement Graham was a graduate of Forest Stewardship and was the 1998 Stevens County Tree Farmer of the Year. He was chairman and manager of the Graham Family Tree Farm and was co-manager along with son Kelly of Dominion Tree Farms. Patrick was an author and historian and has written and published nine area history books.

Patrick is survived by his wife, Carole, at the family home; daughters, Kasey Reynolds (Lee) of Knoxville, TN, and Shannon Taylor (David) of Colville; son, Kelly Graham of Colville; one stepdaughter, Nicoline of Valley, WA; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Memorials in Patrick's name can be given to Stevens County Historical Society, Catholic Charities, and Colville Food Bank.