John R Graham

Memorial service for John R. Graham known to his family and friends as Jack will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 11, 2008 at the First Presbyterian Church, Gillette, Wyoming, with Rev. Peggy Brown officiating. Military honors provided by the American Legion Post # 42. Upon his request a private cremation service has taken place and a private family scattering will take place at a later date at Kaycee, Wyoming. John Russell Graham, age 87 died on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at the Fort Meade Veterans Hospital in Sturgis, South Dakota of a sudden cardiac event. John Jack Russell Graham was born December 30, 1920 near Lincoln, Nebraska to Elmer Graham and Lena (Long) Graham. At the age of ten he and his mother later moved to Sussex, Wyoming. Later his mother married John Streeter, and they moved to the Streeter Homestead on the dry fork of Powder River near Kaycee, Wyoming. He attended school in Buffalo, Wyoming. Jack served during World War II as a VA food inspector, for a total of 7 years in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1949. During that time he met and married Doris Urma Clarke in Fedora South Dakota, April 7, 1946. They had two sons Terry and Jerry. After his discharge Jack bought a service station and was the proud owner and operator of Jacks Conoco in Kaycee, Wyoming for 10 years. In Kaycee, Jack served as Justice of the Peace from 1950 to 1960 and Fire Chief of the Kaycee Volunteer Fire Department. In 1961 he moved his family to Gillette, Wyoming where he worked in various other oil field jobs around the Gillette area. He also served as the First Assistant Fire Chief for three years. During that time he also guided elk hunters in the Sunlight Basin area near Cody Wyoming. He was proud to declare that he could drop an elk at 300 yards, and could tie a diamond hitch with the best of them. He loved rodeo (which he participated in his younger years, and loved to watch later). He loved camping, fishing and hunting. After his retirement he and Doris enjoyed spending time with family and grandchildren. He enjoyed trips to Deadwood and playing the slots. He was especially fond of helping out a neighbor or doing things for others. Jack is survived by his wife Doris of 63 years, son Terrell (Peggy) Graham, step-grandson Spencer Jay and family of Plano, Texas. Son Gerald Graham of Gillette, Wyoming. Grand-daughters Jennifer Graham, Katie (Ryan) Redland of Thermopolis, Wyoming, and Didi (Brad) Lyons and three great-grandsons of Norfolk, Nebraska. A brother Ed (Velma) Streeter of Kaycee, Wyoming and sister Sally Nell (John) Arross of Casper, Wyoming. Nieces, nephews, and other family members to numerous to list. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Walter (Boogie) Streeter and two great-grand daughters, Saige Stevenson and McKenna Rohrich. I sure hope there is a lot of Candy in Heaven. Because he sure has a SWEET TOOTH! Memorials in his name can be sent to the Walker Funeral Home 410 Medical Arts Court Gillette, Wyoming 82716. Condolences and tributes can be sent via the website; www.walkerfuneralgillette.com