Wayne

Phillip “Wayne” Graham December 18, 1927 - March 5, 2012 Mr. Phillip Wayne Graham, 84, resident of Dewey went home to be with the Lord, Monday morning, March 5, 2012. A memorial service will be held at the Rose Hill Community Baptist Church, Dewey, Oklahoma at 1 p.m. Friday, March 9, 2012 with Pastor Orville Moody officiating. Mr. Graham was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma on December 18, 1927, to Archie and Cottie Mae Gaskill Graham as the youngest of five siblings. He received his education through Bartlesville schools and spent most of his waking hours with a softball in his hand, pitching for some of the best teams in the county. His love of the game never ceased, pitching his last game at the age of 54. Wayne became an accomplished bowler usually assigned the ‘anchor’ position and his photographer’s skills were honed by working at Griggs Photography Studio. Wayne married Barbara “Bobbie” Lou Miller in Nowata, Oklahoma on July 24, 1945. It is noted that he pitched a winning softball game later that evening. Mr. Graham enlisted in the U.S. Army in March 1946 serving as a Commander in the 79th Amphibious Tractor Company, Fort Casey, Washington. He was honorably discharged in September 1947 with the rank of Corporal after receiving the WWII Victory Medal. Wayne had enlisted in the reserves and was called back to active duty a second time in September 1950 where he served in the Korean Conflict as a VetaMed Corpsman in the Osaka Army Hospital. Mr. Graham was honorably discharged August 1951 after receiving the Korean Service Medal. Mr. and Mrs. Graham have made their home north of Dewey for the past 37 years. In 1985 after 34 years Wayne retired as a supervisor from TRW/Reda Pump Company. He enjoyed raising and racing horses while caring for the farm and loved spending time with his grandchildren at rodeos, horse shows and softball games. He enjoyed the companionship of his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends. Wayne lived each day to the fullest by teaching, working, planning, and doing. He was constant in his unwavering love, kindness, honesty and integrity. Mr. Graham is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Bobbie Graham of the home, three daughters, Janet Graham Johnson, Orange, CA, Deborah Bradley of Sperry, OK and Christy & her husband Bill Brown of Dewey; his brother and sister-in-law, Robert & Patricia Graham of Bartlesville, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, James & Louise Miller of Bartlesville; grandchildren, Michelle & Ronnie Higgins, Alicia Parra, Philip & Janet Johnson, Karrah Johnson all of California, Kelli & Chris Tabler of Sperry, Meredith & Michael Parker of Dewey, Amanda & Jarrod Gosnell of Wann; great-grandchildren Taylor Parker, Lane Parker, Ronnie Higgins III, Dallas Higgins, Asher Parra, Kaden Gosnell, Pearl Johnson and Madelynn Parker as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Harold Graham, two sisters, Maxine Graham and Gladys Daugherty and his only son, Richard Wayne Graham. Happy trails dear husband, father, brother, Grampy, & Uncle. We love you. Final arrangements will be by Stumpff Funeral Home & Crematory. A memorial fund has been established in Wayne’s memory to Rose Hill Community Baptist Church, 12590 N. 4000 Rd, Dewey, Oklahoma 74029 PDF Printable Version