Eddie "Ed" Gene Graham

Always an optimist Ed Graham’s last battle took his physical life, but he was still the winner. He gave it his best. As his body weakened from the cancer he stayed positive and hopeful to the end. Eddie Gene “Ed” Graham died peacefully December 28, 2015, at his home in Lake Kiowa, Texas.

Eddie was born March 22, 1929, in his family’s home near Lavaca, Arkansas, to Acie Graham and Elva G. (Ray) Graham. As the oldest of 12 children, he worked long and hard along with his family to survive on the farm during the difficult years of the Great Depression.

After graduating from high school he attended Arkansas State Teacher’s College (now University of Central Arkansas) on a basketball scholarship. He left college to join the U.S. Air Force June 26, 1948. He served in the 37th Communication Squadron in Okinawa, Japan; Warner Robins Air Force Base, Georgia; and Anchorage, Alaska. He ended his military career as a Tech. Sgt., serving as a cryptographic specialist, with the highest security clearance, at the Pentagon.

Eddie married Marion Suits September 23, 1950, in Macon, Georgia. After her death, he married Lillian Brock December 12, 1964, in San Diego, California. He married Sheila (Van Orsdol) Dennis December 21, 1977, in Pasadena, California.

After his military service Eddie began a career in electronics. He retired at age 74 as the supervisor of broadcast engineers at Los Angeles City College in Los Angeles, California. Always keeping busy, after retirement he learned to be a locksmith and worked part time for the Lake Kiowa Security Department.

He loved sports and played slow-pitch softball into his 70s. He was known for his high, arching, but accurate, moon ball that few batters could hit.

Eddie was a man of faith. He was baptized at age 17 and devotedly attended church throughout his life. At his death he was a member of Hope Community Fellowship Church in The Colony, Texas.

In his 70s he made trips with groups from his church to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. At age 85 he joined other church members on a mission trip to Mexico to distribute gifts to disadvantaged children. He was a Meals on Wheels and Home Hospice volunteer and a member of the Gainesville Optimist Club. He was also a ham operator and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteer.

Eddie is survived by his wife of 38 years, Sheila, children Debra Hoffert and husband David; Daniel Graham and Bernie Tan; Kenneth Graham; Liana Graham and Jonathan Graham; stepchildren Shara Guss and husband Alan, Tina Dennis, Steven Dennis and wife Connie, and Eileen Hinshaw and husband Bill. He is also survived by many grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Both parents, and brothers Freddy, Rupert and Johnny Lee Graham preceded him in death. He is survived by brothers Mickey “Mike” Graham and wife Colleen, Harold “Honey” Graham and Genell Graham, Franklin Graham and wife Pat, and Ron Graham and wife Kris; and sisters Zeta McLane and husband George, Becky Bonilla and husband David, Linda Green, and Rose Hanna and husband Mike.

A memorial service and celebration of life is scheduled 11 a.m., Saturday, January 9, 2016, at Hope Community Fellowship church, 5204 S. Colony Blvd, The Colony, TX, 75056.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Home Hospice of Cooke County, P.O. Box 936, Gainesville, TX, 76241. http://www.homehospice.org/