Ray V. Graham
Ray V. Graham
Ray V. Graham
April 23, 1924 – November 15, 2016
Pella (Oskaloosa), Iowa | Age 92
Served With Honor ~ United States Military Verteran
Ray V. Graham, 92, of Pella and formerly of Oskaloosa, died Tuesday, November 15, 2016, at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella. Ray was born Wednesday, April 23, 1924, in Oskaloosa, the son of Leroy and Hazel McDonough Graham.
On February 8, 1943, Ray joined the U.S. Army and served in the Pacific Theater for more than two and a half years. Upon returning home, he married his sweetheart, Harriett Durham, on July 14, 1946.
Ray and his family moved to Canyon City, Colorado in the fall of 1948. As a reservist, he was recalled to active duty on September 27, 1950. They then moved back to Oskaloosa. Shortly thereafter, he was on his way to Korea, where he served for another nine months.
After his discharge, Ray farmed through the fall of 1958. He served as Deputy Sheriff for Mahaska County from January 1959 to December 1964. He then worked as the Mahaska County Auditor from January 1965 to December 1968. In January of 1969, he moved to Washington, Iowa where he took a position as Plant Clerk at the Crane Company. By 1977, he and Harriett had moved back to the Oskaloosa area. In 1981, they moved to Mojave Valley, Arizona, where Ray worked as an outside guard at Riverside Casino in Laughlin, Nevada for about 15 years. Ray retired and Washington, Iowa again became their home in the fall of 1996.
When Harriett moved from one care facility to another, Ray moved back to Oskaloosa to be closer to her. She died on December 1, 2004. On November 15, 2015, Ray moved to Pella.
Ray was a former member of the Oskaloosa American Legion and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He enjoyed listening to music by the Blackwood Brothers Quartet. Bill and Gloria Gaither Homecoming shows on Saturday nights were also a favorite of his.
Ray is survived by his two sons: Walter (& Janice) Graham of Pella and Arlo (& Sandra) Graham of Washington; 6 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; one sister, Verla McMahan of Roberta, Georgia; and one brother, Larry Graham of Des Moines.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Cynthia Keen; a brother, John Graham; and two sisters: Arlene Fox and Adlene Herberer.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 19, 2016, at 10 A.M. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Pastor Al Schreuder officiating.
Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa.
Military Honors will be given by members of the Oskaloosa American Legion and V.F.W.
Visitation will be held Friday, November 18, 2016, after 11 A.M. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa and the family will be present at the funeral chapel Friday from 5 – 7 P.M. to greet friends and relatives.
Memorials may be made to the Hospice of Pella Comfort House.
