Richard Alan Graham

Richard A. Graham, Sr., 65, of Collinsville, Ill, born July 14, 1947 in Caseyville, Ill, died Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at home under Hospice Care surrounded by loving members of his family and friends.

Mr. Graham was a member of the Apostolic Tabernacle Church in Edwardsville where he volunteered many hours of his time to maintain the church and contribute to church programs.

He was a humble and faithful Christian who tried very hard to live up to God’s expectations. He dearly loved his many grandchildren and adopted grandchildren. He was devoted to his family and was a loyal friend to many.

Richard spent many years working as a craftsman in construction, as a mechanic and as a load director for Illinois barges. He was known for his ability to discern problems with cars by simply hearing the engine running. The extent of his physical strength was legendary, especially for his ability to pick up car engines with his bare hands. As a crime victim, Richard suffered a debilitating disability which severely limited his job capabilities. Prior to succumbing to Renal Cancer, he was a custodian at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Edwardsville for three years. The story of his complaint of disability discrimination against the Minister of St. John’s has been read by a network of thousands throughout the United States and is a subject of a book to be published in 2013. The subsequent lawsuit alleging his complaint was recently settled with the Minister, St. John’s Church and the United Methodist Great Rivers Conference.

He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Roy Graham and his mother, Mahala G. (Newbold) Graham. The recent death of his best friend, James Chaffee, affected him deeply.

Surviving Richard is his estranged wife, Michelle (Tincher) Graham, his son, Richard A. Graham, Jr.; Three stepdaughters, Leslie Lee, Daisy Blackburn and Nicky Owens: Two stepsons, Robert Tincher and Charles Tincher. Four grandsons: Chris Mays, Jr., Ethan Blackburn, Devonte Tincher and Charles Tincher, Jr. Three granddaughters: Mikala Owens, Serenity Owens, and Samara Owens. Also surviving are numerous adopted grandchildren who he showered with needed love and attention. Formal family ties meant little to Richard, if someone was in need, then that person was family. Also surviving are two brothers, Charles Graham, Jr., Thomas Graham and one sister, Marjorie Norris.

Richard also leaves Shirley and Terry Blackburn who, along with daughters, Leslie Lee and Daisy Blackburn, served as loving, constant 24 hour care givers to Richard during the months of his illness

Memorials may be made to the Siteman Cancer Center. Condolences may also be expressed online at www.lakeviewfuneralhm.com.

Visitation: Friends may visit with the family from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012 at Lake View Funeral Home in Fairview Heights, Illinois

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00pm., at the funeral home with Pastor Josh Williams, of the Apostolic Tabernacle Church of Edwardsville, officiating. Interment will be held privately in Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, Ill.