PHILIP MICHAEL GRAHAM

1942 - 2023

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Phillip Michael Graham, 81, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on Dec. 27, 2023.

Phillip was born Jan. 16, 1942 in Philipsburg, the second child born to Orvis and Avanel Graham.

He met his best friend, Jane Graham, in childhood whom he married Feb. 21, 1960. Phillip graduated from Clearfield Area High School in 1959 with training in vocational courses.

Immediately after, Phillip joined the United States Navy at age 17, where he completed his training in San Diego, Calif. at the top of his class. He served in the Navy for four years on the ship U.S.S. Cadmus AR 14 and was honorably discharged.

Phillip then embarked on a prominent career working as a highly respected machinist for several prominent companies including Nuclide Corp., Micro-Tol Engineering Co., Berg Electronics, and AMF Wyott. While at Micro-Tol, he was involved with building a tool for one of NASA's lunar missions.

In addition to his professional achievements, Phillip found joy in coaching and umpiring his son's baseball teams, gardening, growing and grafting trees, square dancing, elaborate landscaping, and designing and building projects. He was an outdoor enthusiast and spent time hunting antelope and deer and fishing mountain streams. After a family vacation out west in 1978, he relocated his family to Cheyenne, Wyo. and he and Jane began building his prized cordwood yurt-style cabin in Centennial, Wyo.

Above all, Phillip Graham was a devoted family man, placing his loved ones at the center of his life. He was known to refuse to work overtime hours in order to prioritize having dinner each night with his family. It gave him great joy to have his children and grandchildren come to visit; each one knew they could call Pappy for sound advice and regular encouragement.

Phillip lost his best friend Jane in 1993 to breast cancer and finished his beloved cabin in her memory. Three years later, while square dancing, he met Carol Shotwell Stenner, who he later married. She made him fresh cookies every week for 26 years. They enjoyed many travels across the United States. He was a man of few words but of strong tradition, and showed his devotion through true cowboy chivalry.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife Jane; and brother Lawrence.

He is survived by his wife Carol Graham; son, Rodney Graham (Kelly); daughter, Sally Reuer (Brad); grandchildren, Ryan Graham (Ashlee), Briane Olson, Rodney Graham (Tyler), Taylor Reuer (Megan); and six great grandchildren.

Cremation has been arranged, ashes to be spread at his favorite place.

Schrader, Aragon & Jacoby Funeral Home, 2222 Russell Ave., Cheyenne, Wyo. is in charge of arrangements.