Jerry Leaford Graham's Obituary
Funeral services for Jerry Leaford Graham, 76, of Longview will be held Tuesday February 17, 2015 in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home with Chaplain Keith Lybrand officiating. Burial will follow at Lakeview Memorial Gardens. Honorary Pallbearers are Bobby Bounds, Jimmy Billings, James Harris , Jessie Molina, and Ronnie Toon.
Mr. Graham passed away Saturday February 14, 2015 in Longview. He was born November 13, 1938 in Pittsburg, TX to Lillian Taylor and Henry Ford Graham.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and his nephew, Colton Billings.
Survivors include his wife, Patricia, daughters; Alesha Roeschke, Lori Huff & husband Craig, Audrey Oliver and husband Josh, son; Timothy Harrell, grandchildren; Emily Grace Huff, Kindall James Oliver, Faith Beulah Oliver and Hailey Kate Oliver, sister; Glenda Garrett & husband Bobby, nieces; Patricia Billings & husband Jimmy and their daughter Alexis, Judy Maples & husband Brian and son Brodie. Also surviving are his two furry children; Little Man and Baby Girl.
He was tired and ready to meet the Lord, and asked on his last day when he would see the light. Jerry has found that light at last.
Jerry lived the see his 76 birthday. No one, especially him, thought he would see past his 40th birthday. Jerry worked hard all his life starting at 11 throwing newspapers in Magnolia Arkansas from his racy red Cushman Eagle. During high school, he worked at Mr. Wilson’s grocery store and running movie projectors in theaters in Longview. Jerry always said Mr. Wilson taught him the work ethics that he had all the rest of his life.
After high school, Jerry worked several years for Sunshine Drugs and Piggly Wiggly as a route salesman all throughout the Arklatex. Jerry then worked 3 years at Texas Eastman learning the chemical process trade before his last job at Schlitz can plant. He worked there 33 years retiring with health problems 9 years ago. His coworkers after all those years became like family. Break room humor there was like walking into a Jr High cafeteria. Jerry was a proud member of Teamster Local 745 and truly was a union brother.
Jerry married Patricia Dec. 21, 1996 and always said this is where his life began. The only thing they ever fussed about was which program to watch on TV. They never ever went to bed angry and were best friends from the start. His Mustang convertibles were his pride and joy before his health problems got so bad. Anyone who knew Jerry knew that his furry little children were to be spoiled without question. They even went with them on trips to the coast, of which Jerry and Patricia traveled once every year. Jerry loved all his family, and he will be sorely missed. He was a truly one of a kind, met life head on, and with a stubborn fierceness that helped him make it the last 9 years in spite of the odds against him.
A memorial guestbook may be signed online at www.raderfh.com
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