Talford Graham's Obituary
Talford William Graham, 91, moved to his new life in Heaven on Sunday April 29, 2018. There will be a memorial service celebrating his new life on Friday May 4, 2018 at 10:30 AM at Rosewood Park Cemetery in the Mausoleum.
He was born in Killgore, Oklahoma on October 15, 1926. Parents were Iva Elizabeth and James Tillman Graham. He grew up in Chickasha, Oklahoma until joining the Navy in 1944. Following two years in the Navy, graduated from Oklahoma University with bachelor and master’s degrees in chemical engineering. Later he received an MBA degree from SMU. While at OU, met and later married Ann Angerman. He then went to work for Tennessee Eastman Company in Kingsport, TN where his daughter Linda Ann was born. He was then selected to move to Longview in 1951 to assist in starting the Texas Eastman Plant. His sons, James Robert and Bill Graham, were born in Longview. He retired from Texas Eastman Company in 1986. Not one to be passive, he continued working as co-owner and consultant of GPI, a development and construction company. He was a partner in the developments of Bramlette Place Townhomes, Branchwood Office Park, Palisades and Fountain Place. He was a Real Estate Broker and for many years ran Graham Building Inspections. Having more credentials than most, he served as an expert witness in real estate and construction matters.
Volunteer activities included Church School Superintendent, Chairman of the Commission on Education, Chairman of the Official Board at First United Methodist Church, President of Noon Lions Club, Industrial Division Chairman Greater Longview United Fund, Director of the East Texas Area Council Boy Scouts of America, Longview City Councilman and President of the Little Cypress Utility district. His main pleasure was being around his Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren who loved him very much. He enjoyed doing volunteer work and traveling. Adventure type vacations took him to every continent on the earth.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Linda Ann Graham Stuart. Survivors include his Wife of 68 years, Ann A. Graham, son James Robert Graham of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Son Bill Graham and wife Amanda of Longview, with grandchildren, Adam Graham and wife Kelly of Dallas, Michael Graham of Dallas, Connor Graham and wife Rachel of Longview, Katherine Graham of Fort Worth, Abby Graham at Vanderbilt, and Chloey Story of Longview and great grandchildren, Ben, Luke and Molly. Cousins include Woodrow Southerland (deceased), William Southerland(deceased), Lawana Case, Richard Chapman, Margaret Baker and Dorothy McTeague, Troy Fern Anderson(deceased). Nephews and Nieces include Dr. Kevin Evans, Kent Evans, Karen Bennett, Kimberly Tomlin, Myrna Moritz and Melanie Wolff.
Memorials may be given to the School For Little Children at the First United Methodist Church.
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