"Dick" was born November 22, 1919 in Oakland, Pennsylvania to Helen Pyle Graham and Arthur Graham.
" Dick" served as a Marine paratrooper and retired Sgt. Major with the United States Marine Corps where he served 20 years and fought in World War II and the Korean War. He came home from his Marine career with 16 military honors among them the Distinguished Flying Cross.
After serving 20 years in the Marines, " Dick" studied airport management at the University of Tennessee. In 1960, he became the general manager of the Smith Reynolds Airport in Winston Salem NC. On May 1, 1967, "Dick" became the general manager of the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport where he remained general manager through 1989 so he could oversee major expansion.
"Dick" served on the board of Greenville Tech's Greer campus for 15 years and was a member of John Knox Presbyterian Church in Greenville SC.
"Dick "enjoyed staying active all his life. Until age 70 he was running two miles daily. Into his 90's, he was up every morning at 6:00am, playing tennis five days a week while juggling golf, weight lifting and dance lessons.
"Dick" is survived by; son Richard Scott Graham (Danielle Aspar) of Surfside Beach SC; and daughter Jeanne Louise Taylor (Donald) of Walhalla SC; grandson John Gregory Graham (Anne) of Peekskill NY, granddaughter Sharon Elizabeth Graham of Hamilton New Zealand, grandson Matthew Taylor of Walhalla SC, granddaughter Christi Tratter of Walhalla SC, great grandchild Remy Trater, great grandchild Alexis Trater and great grandchild Audrey Graham.
"Dick" was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years Mary Margaret Graham; father Arthur Graham and mother Helen Pyle Graham.
A visitation for "Dick" will be held Friday, December 21, 2018 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at John Knox Presbyterian Church, 35 Shannon Drive, Greenville, SC 29615 followed by the funeral service at 11:00AM. A burial will occur following the funeral service at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 1 Pine Knoll Drive, Greenville, South Carolina 29609.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.woodlawn-fh.com for the Graham family.
