Paul N. Graham

Paul Norman Graham, 97, of Birmingham, AL passed away on November 19th, 2016. He was born in Elmore County, Alabama and graduated from West End High School in 1938. He joined the Army Air Corps in WWII and was assigned to the Persian Gulf Command as a weather observer. Returning from the war, he worked for the Weather Bureau in Montgomery and later in Birmingham at the municipal airport. Norman was also a member of the 117th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing of the Alabama Air National Guard where he was commissioned as First Lieutenant. While a member of the 117th, he was called to active duty for the Korean conflict and the Berlin Wall crisis in 1960 and served for a year in France. He was also keenly aware of the clandestine involvement of the 117th in the failed Bay of Pigs invasion. He later became a member of the Air Force Reserve retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Norman was employed by the Aviation Department of the city of Birmingham in 1959 as the Assistant Airport Manager and later became the Deputy Director of Aviation. During his time with the city of Birmingham the airport saw great growth. In addition to his daily duties he was involved with construction of two new airport terminal buildings, a parking deck, a freight building, a new tower and runway paving projects. Norman spent his entire working career in some capacity at the Birmingham Municipal Airport.

Norman met the love of his life Tommie Evelyn Carden on a blind date and they were married in 1953. They joined Huffman Baptist Church in 1955 where he was still a member. Norman and Tommie were also long time members of the Stogies Club.

Norman was preceded in death by his parents, William Jasper Graham and Lelia Holley Graham and his wife, Tommie.

He is survived by his son, William N. Graham (Noel); sister, Marie Graham Peerson; granddaughters, Elizabeth Graham Freeman (Trevor), and Sarah Graham Marra (Chris); great- granddaughter, Vivian Abigail Freeman as well as several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at Ridout’s Trussville Chapel Friday November 25th from 9:00- 10:00 A.M. A graveside service at Jefferson Memorial Gardens will follow. Memorials may be made to Huffman Baptist Church or the charity of your choice.