John Hunt Graham

1947 - 2016

John Hunt Graham

May 25, 1947 - September 28, 2016

Salem, OR - John Graham died September 28 from acute interstitial lung pneumonia attributed to his rheumatoid arthritis. It had a sudden onset and rapid progression.

People remember John for his gentle heart, warmth, humor, integrity, laugh and smile.

He had great friends from his 30 plus years working at the State Fair. He had clients who became friends during his 40 years in the Income Tax business. And on his many trips with his wife Kristin, John found new friends to invite to Oregon.

John was born in Denver, Colorado to Lesa Mary (Hunt) Graham and Horace Lynn Graham. He was the youngest of four children. His family moved between Colorado and California several times as his dad got better jobs. He lived close to Disneyland and could ride his bike there.

His family moved to Portland in time for John to attend and graduate from Wilson High School. In 1969 he graduated from Southern Oregon College where he took accounting-" just because it was so easy" for him! He came to Salem to work for the Division of Audits, State of Oregon, where he met many of his first good friends in Salem. He shortly started his tax business.

John enjoyed his time flying in the Mohawks out of the Salem airport, as part of his Air Army Guard duty. He did the technical observing - operating the cameras which had special infrared capacity. He loved the irony that they often flew up to Mt. Baker to test for volcanic activity, right over Mt. Saint Helens.

Mohawks had two engines, but he became a member of the single engine club once on a flight over the ocean. He always trusted those pilots to get him safely on the ground.

People will remember John as being of good cheer, smiling, teasing, and always curious. He had many wide ranging interests and being an accountant, made files on them all. His files cover: dry stone wall building (a class he and Kristin took). Other files: blue footed boobies, kayaking, bassets, beachcombing, pickelball, fossils, glass fishing floats, sound powered phones, fireflies, sand castle building (he entered with his nephew's family and won!) .

Anything about the ocean fascinated him. He and Kristin looked for years and finally bought a beach cabin in 1997. The cabin was outfitted with real Navy china, silverware, speaking tubes, flags, navigation instruments, all from real Navy ships.

His other big interest was WWII. He visited Normandy, France; Churchill's underground bunker in London; the Resistance museum in Norway; the Occupation museum in Riga; and Anne's Frank's house in Amsterdam where he also attended WWII memorial ceremonies.

John and his wife Kristin Nelson Graham were together 40 years. They were partners in raising 9 basset hounds (most rescue dogs}, taking care of rental properties, decorating their beach cabin, planning trips; and caring for his parents, Kristin's mom Jean, and other family members.

In the last 15 years they traveled to China, Hong Kong, Norway, Sweden, France, Holland, England, Scotland, Riga, Argentina and Antarctica. Attending events: the Queen's birthday celebration in Holland; the royal wedding in London; New Year's Eve celebrations- on Westminster Bridge, London, and in Times Square NYC, and Seattle Space Needle; the Olympics in Vancouver, and the Cornwall village filming site of Doc Martin. One of his favorite trips involved being in a 100 year storm, with 50 foot waves, off the coast of Norway.

He enjoyed a good blackjack table, with friends, and a hot craps table. Finding both on his many trips to Reno with Kristin's cousins and friends.

He was a good host, demonstrated each year at the annual McElhinny Tom and Jerry party.

John is survived by his wife Kristin; brother Frank Graham (Roseburg), sister Carol Harris (San Diego), nieces, Julie Pang (San Francisco), Karin O'Mahoney (Hawaii); nephews, John Leland and George Leland (San Diego), Clayton Graham (Seattle), Jeremy Graham (Bend), Justin Nelson, (Lexington, OR); and niece Courtney Nelson (Albany, OR), and many great-nieces and great-nephews he enjoyed. He also became family to Kristin's many relatives, to lovely neighbors, to buddies who owned bassets and other dogs, liked to camp, to drink martinis, to ride bikes or go to Sun River or the coast.

He was preceded in death by sister, Susan Graham and his parents.

A celebration of John's life will be held in the next few months.

A bench in Minto Brown Park in his memory is planned. Contributions can also be given to Oregon Humane Society, Willamette Valley Humane Society, Basset Rescue or a favorite animal organization.

The world has lost a lovely human being. Here are a few of his favorite quotes:

"Character is What You Are in the Dark";

"Martinis Don't Drink Themselves!";

"If all you have in your toolbox is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.";

"There is Nothing So Bad That You Cannot Forgive"; and

"Every man's death diminishes me as I am involved in mankind"

Miss you. Love ya, John.