Lawrence A. Graham Obituary March 13, 2015 - LeRette Funeral Chapel Inc

‹ ‹ Return to Current Obituaries

Share

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Lawrence A.

Graham

April 21, 1922 – March 13, 2015

Send a Card Send a Gift

Obituary

Birthplace: Crystal City, MO Resided In: Carmel, IN Lawrence Ardell Graham, 92, of Carmel, Indiana passed away March 13, 2015. Larry, son of Lawrence Marshall and Florence Melinda Graham, was born April 21, 1922 in Crystal City, Missouri. He graduated from Crystal City High School in 1940 and in 1944 from Tarkio College in Tarkio Missouri where he majored in chemistry and was a four year starter for the basketball team. At Tarkio, Larry met the love of his life Ruth Jean Gibson of Red Oak, Iowa. After college, Larry joined the United States Navy attending basic training at Farragut, Idaho and Midshipman's School at Columbia University in New York. He served as a Lt. JG on the USS LSM 476 in WW II where he took part in troop landings at Okinawa and the Occupation of Japan. Larry and Ruth were married May 25, 1946 in Astoria, Oregon when Larry returned after serving in the Pacific Campaign. After the war Larry and Ruth settled in Clinton, Iowa where Larry began a 42-year career with E.I. DuPont Co., advancing from Lab Chemist to Employee Relations Superintendent. During his career, Larry and Ruth lived in Clinton, Madison, TN, Richmond, VA and Florence, SC, where they retired. Larry was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan and attended games at three different stadiums including Sportsman's Park and both Busch Stadiums. As a youngster, he would hitchhike to St. Louis and was admitted for a dime as a member of the Knot Hole Gang at Sportsman's Park. His love of basketball led him to serve as a high school and college referee for over 40 years. He refereed at the high school level until the age of 72 and was calling youth league games into his eighties. Larry was also an avid golfer, with a full table of trophies to prove his skill. He carded four holes-in-one and shot his age every year beginning at age 70 until his failing eyesight no longer allowed him to play the game. In Florence, SC he served as a volunteer for McLeod Hospital and also served as the supervisor for the Florence AARP tax service for many years. Larry's wife of sixty three years, Ruth; brothers, Bob and Vernon and his sister, Shirley predeceased him. He is survived by his brother, William Graham (Shirley); his three sons, Stephen (Ann) of Edgartown, MA; James (Lois) of Carmel, IN; and Robert of Charlottesville, VA. He is also survived by his grandchildren, the pride of his life; Lillian Graham, Emily Graham Nolan, Caroline R. Graham, Annie Graham, Caroline G. Graham and Joseph Lawrence Graham. Funeral services will be held 1 PM Thursday, March 19, 2015 at the Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery with military honors. Condolences may be sent to The Family of Larry Graham, 2460 Glebe St. #179, Carmel IN 46032. Memorial contributions may be made to The Salvation Army or St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 100 W. 86th St Indianapolis, IN 46260. Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel of Red Oak, Iowa is in charge of arrangements

No Visitation Information Available
Service:
Date: 3/19/2015 Time: 1 PM Comments:	Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel 410 N. 6th Street Red Oak, IA Get a Map Driving Directions
Burial:
Date: 3/19/2015 Time: Following services Comments:	Evergreen Cemetery North 8th St. Red Oak, IA Get a Map Driving Directions

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lawrence A. Graham, please visit our flower store.

Share Lawrence A. Graham's obituary with others.

Stay updated

Share this obituary with others

Print

Obituary

Lawrence A. Graham's Guestbook