Bobbie Ray Graham

Bobbie Ray Graham went to be with his Heavenly Father on Thursday morning, February 6, 2014, at the age of 88 years. He was the 8th child of ten children, born at home in the small community of Duster, Texas on September 11, 1925, to James F. and Della (Huckabee) Graham. The family moved to Loraine, Texas in 1929, where he grew up on a farm North of Loraine, attending school at the North Champion School and also, Loraine High School.

On December 6, 1943, he was drafted into the U. S. Navy and served aboard the U.S.S. Makin Island during the Pacific War in World War II. While on furlough, he met his future bride, Wanza Nunn, and they were married on January 5, 1946. He was honorably discharged from the Navy on April 9, 1946.

As a young couple they returned to Loraine to set up house, North of Loraine, and started their family. Over the years, Bobbie was a hard worker, providing for his wife and five children. He farmed the first year of their marriage and in 1949 they moved to town and he began working for Lewis Claxton at the Exxon Station downtown Loraine, then later he and his brother Lawrence opened a filling station of their own at the other end of town, before going to work in the oil field for Robertson Oil Company out of Big Spring in 1951. Later he drilled for Patterson Oil Company out of Snyder. He made many lifelong friends while working in the oil field.

In 1961 he and his family moved to Colorado City, then in 1972, following the death of his brother Lawrence; Bobbie, Wanza and their youngest daughter, Dianne, moved back to Loraine to run the filling station he purchased from his sister-in-law, Oleeta Graham. He enjoyed running the filling station and during this time, he joined the Loraine Volunteer Fire Department for a couple of years.

In 1987 he retired and sold the filling station, after 15 years of service to the community to enjoy being PawPaw to his grandchildren and later his great grandchildren.

He was a beloved husband, daddy and pawpaw. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Wanza Graham; one son, Dwayne Graham and wife, Patti , of Colorado City; four daughters, Brenda Linam of Loraine; Glenda Hemphill and husband, Mike; Debby Carlock and husband, Tom, all of Colorado City; and Dianne Hughes and husband, Willis of Roscoe; thirteen grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren; one brother, Donald Graham and wife, Doris of Loraine; sister-in-law, Shirley Graham of Loraine and Leveda Brooks of Burleson, Texas; numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Annie Browning and Modess Lucas; six brothers, Tom, Elwood, Joe, Stanley, Lawrence, and Clay; and a son-in-law, Tom Linam.

Visitation will be Friday, February 7, 2014 from 6-8 PM at Kiker Seale Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church of Loraine on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. with burial following in the Loraine Cemetery.