Obituary of Henry Graham

GRAHAM HENRY (HANK) CLAYTON Passed away peacefully Thursday December 18, 2008, at his daughter's residence in Tulsa, OK. Hank was born in Eureka, Kansas November 30, 1923, attended school in Fredonia, Kansas and played semi-pro baseball with the White Sox farm team out of Louisiana. In 1942 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp during WWII He served with I Company, 3rd BN 9th Marine Regiment, and saw combat on the Islands of Guadalcanal and Bougainvillea in the South Pacific. He was Honorably Discharged in 1944. He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, and the DAV. Hank was married to Twilla Duckworth in 1945. They raised 3 children and moved away from Fredonia, Kansas in the mid 50's to Colorado Springs, CO, Carpenteria, CA, and eventually settling in Santa Maria, CA, where Hank worked as a salesman for 28 years before retiring to Tehachapi, CA. in 1986. He enjoyed playing golf, bridge and many other games with his friends and family. He also loved to cook and entertain, and was well-known for a few good jokes. In 1998 Hank suffered a stroke and in 2003 he moved from Tehachapi, CA to Tulsa, Oklahoma so that his loving daughter Marsha could care for him. Hank is survived by a Brother, Howard Graham and wife Maryann of Topeka, KS, Mary Graham Sister-in-law of Tulsa Ok, Son Greg Graham and wife Dorothy of Clovis CA, granddaughters, Kelly Graham of Portland OR, Terri Graham of Clovis CA, (great-grandson Shawn, and great-granddaughter Hannah), Christine Rash (great-granddaughter Alyssa, and great-grandson Brett), and Caroline Mercado (great-granddaughter Breanna) of Atascadero,CA.; Daughter Marsha Miner and Husband Melvin of Tulsa, OK, grandson James Latta (great-granddaughter Taylor) also of Tulsa, OK; and Son Jan Graham and wife LuAnn of Tehachapi, CA, grand-daughters Tricia Rosa (great-grandson Corey, and great-granddaughter Grace) of Paso Robles, CA., Stephanie Oliver of Lompoc, CA., Jana Graham (great-grandson Cody Woeste) of Arroyo Grande, CA, grandsons Scott Graham of Bakersfield,CA, Tyler Graham of Tehachapi, CA, and granddaughter Lisa Graham of Tehachapi,CA. Hank was proceeded in death by his wife of 50 years, Twilla, in 1995, his Father James Graham Sr., Mother Elizabeth, Brothers James Jr, Russell, and Lyle Graham. The family would like to give special thanks to Connie Harrison for her compassionate Care-Giver from Interim Health of Tulsa OK., and to his Doctors, Dr Diep, Dr Price of Tulsa VA CLINIC, Dr Medina, and Jeff of St Johns Heart Center, Dr "K" VA hospital of Muskogee, OK, for their excellent care and friendship. Lastly, we are especially grateful to Grace Hospice and their Nurse Micky, and to the PT and OccTherpy Girls that helped him so much of Tulsa Oklahoma. Finally for all of The Marine Buddies that he served and have met thru the Marine Reunions he would say ' SEMPER FI' It was Hank Graham's wish to be cremated. There will be a military graveside service at the Greenwood Cemetery in Eureka, KS on January 23, 2009.