Tim "Pappy" Roger Graham

Wilson - Mr. Tim “Pappy” Roger Graham of Lone Grove departed this life on Monday, July 9, 2018 at his residence in Lone Grove at the age of 84 years, 8 months, and 27 days. Funeral services with military honors are scheduled for 10:00 A.M. Friday, July 13, 2018 at the Alexander Funeral Home Chapel in Wilson with Rev. Bill Black officiating. Interment will follow at Hewitt Cemetery in Wilson. Services are under the direction and care of Alexander Funeral Home of Wilson.

Mr. Graham was born October 12, 1933 in Ravia, OK to the late Mr. Tim B. Graham and Mrs. Bessie (Martin) Graham.

While attending Murray State College, Tim married the former Gearldine Taylor on July 10, 1956 in Ardmore, OK.

Tim was known by many names: Tim, Rogers, Daddy, Uncle, Mr. Graham and Boss, but to most he was just Pappy. He also wore many hats: Sergeant, engineer, rancher, truck stop owner, and hardware store owner. He worked for many companies as an engineer. Some of these were Brown and Root, Fluor Thyssen, Uniroyal, and Fluor Carribean.

Tim served his country in various ways when he was younger. During his years at Murray State College he was a member of the R.O.T.C. He was a member of the National Guard from 1953-1955. From 1955-1956 he was in the Active Reserves. Tim was in the Army from 1956–1957, before returning to the National Guard in 1957-1960. He finished his military career in the Inactive Reserves from 1960 –1962.

Tim was an adventurer. As he and his wife were raising their four children, he moved with them to Alabama, Louisiana, Maryland, Ohio, and Indiana before returning to his home state of Oklahoma. Tim also lived and worked in Kansas where his family would come and stay with him. The United States borders couldn’t contain him. He spent two years in Iran as a construction engineer on an oil field refinery. His wife and two youngest children went with him on the incredible adventure. During the ousting of the Shah he sent his family home and remained to secure the refinery. He was among the last Americans to leave the country, just months before the American Embassy personnel were taken hostage. He also spent two years in Venezuela with his wife and youngest son before the prairies in Oklahoma once again called him home. After the children were raised he and Jerri put on their traveling shoes and headed west to California where they spent the last thirteen years before retiring. Once retired they headed back to Oklahoma where they built their last house in Lone Grove. At the age of 80, Tim was once again called out of retirement to be an inspector during the building of the waste water treatment plant in Lone Grove.

During his retirement years Tim enjoyed fishing and camping on Lake Texoma with his children, wife, and little dog, Jill. He also spent countless hours manicuring his lawn, and growing a vegetable garden.

Tim was most proud of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He could spend hours talking about them, and their accomplishments. These might have only been great to him, but he was proud none the less.

His beautiful smile, generous nature, wonderful sense of humor, amazing candor, and his love of life will be missed by all who had the opportunity to get to know him. Tim was civic minded and was a member of the Wilson Rotary, Wilson Chamber of Commerce, where he was President. Tim also hosted an exchange student from Finland.

He is preceded in death by his Parents; father and mother in law, Ernest and Agatha Taylor; and brother in law, Truman Hudson.

Survivors include his wife, Gearldine Graham of the home; sons, Tim Graham, Jr. and wife Jaquita of Countyline, Brian Graham and wife Sandee of Lone Grove; daughters, Brenda Wright and husband Frankie of Lone Grove, Karen Amante and husband David of Ardmore; grandchildren, Roger Graham, David Graham, Jeffrey Wright, Dylan Wright, Brandon Seals, Matthew Seals, Jessica Seals, Hannah Visor, Kevin Price, and Kara Idleman; 11 great grandchildren and one on the way; sister, Imogene Hudson; 2 nephews, 2 nieces, and their families.

Serving as pallbearers will be Roger Graham, Jeffrey Wright, David Graham, Dylan Wright, Brandon Seals, and Matthew Seals

Honorary pallbearers are Kevin Price, Matt Idleman, and Jonathan Sanders, Hannah Visor, and Jessica Seals.

Visitation with Masonic Rights will be from 6 – 8 P.M. on Thursday, July 12, 2018.

Condolences can be shared at www.alexanderfuneralhome.org

The family would like to say Thank You to Mary Beth and Valerie with Alpha Hospice for their exceptional care.