Stephen Harry Graham, III

With great personal sadness but everlasting thanksgiving, we remember Stephen Harry Graham III, who passed into eternal life on July 18, 2024. Steve lived a life rich in service and kindness, was a devoted spouse to Vicki for 36 years, an extraordinary father to Clayton, and beloved Grandpa Trey to Stephen IV and Travis.

Born to Olivia (Fuchs) and Stephen Harry Graham, Jr. on June 30, 1952, Steve was the third of four children. The Graham kids grew up in Laredo and Corpus Christi, loving the outdoors and swimming and biking around together. He became an excellent cook early on (specializing in chicken-fried steak with gravy) because in that busy family of six, the rule was if you cooked you didn’t have to clean! The ancestral family home and cattle ranch in Goliad was a favorite destination for the Grahams and remained Steve’s happy place throughout his life. Steve was active in Graham Cattle Company, the family ranching business, and an excellent horseman. There was not a horse he could not ride.

Steve graduated from Texas A&I University in Kingsville with a degree in Geology and a minor in Math. He enjoyed a long career in the oil and gas industry and spent over 25 years with the Railroad Commission of Texas. He worked in just about every sector of the Commission’s services, from inspector to oilfield plugging to environmental cleanup to Assistant Director and retired as Acting Director of Districts 1 & 2 of the Commission. He continued consulting work in the industry after leaving the Commission.

His love for science and geology was a lifelong passion that extended beyond his career. Post retirement, Steve and Vicki (and if possible, their beloved grandsons and dogs) traveled to National Parks and other natural attractions across the continent, where they always made time to explore the geologic sites that so fascinated him. There was no travelog that did not include a photo of Steve happily admiring rocks or formations or evolutionary timelines of some sort! He also used his technical skills as a longtime volunteer with Mobility Worldwide, which provides mobility scooters to those in need.

Steve was a proud Boy Scout leader and member of the Order of the Arrow. He guided Clayton to the rank of Eagle Scout with steadfast and loving patience, while providing an example to other young men of what it means to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. He continued to set that example during Clayton’s years in the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University. Steve and Vicki traveled with Clayton and other members of Parson’s Mounted Cavalry to games and parades in College Station and around the state serving meals and offering support to the young people in the Cavalry.

Ultimately, Steve’s faith was the basis on which every other aspect of his life and character rested. He started every day in devotional study and ended each evening in thanksgiving. His faith formed the true partnership he enjoyed with Vicki, and they worked together to help others whenever possible. Steve generously and enthusiastically shared his faith through leadership in countless ministries of his local congregation as well as The Walk to Emmaus organization.

Steve is survived by his wife, Vicki Rogers Graham of Helotes; his son Clayton Graham (Alison) and grandsons Stephen IV and Travis of Tomball; his brother C Robert (Bob) Graham (Teri Michelle) of Chesapeake, VA; sisters Stephanie Graham Walker of Goliad and Pamela Graham Lewis of San Antonio; mother-in-law Rose Rogers of San Antonio, along with his many cousins, in-laws, nieces and nephews who will miss his kind heart and calm presence in their lives but rejoice in knowing he is at peace.

We invite all who knew and loved Steve to join us in a celebration of his life at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church located at 13200 Bandera Road, Helotes, Texas on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at 3:00 P.M. where we will share stories, laughter and tears.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider a gift in Steve’s honor to the American Liver Foundation (www.liverfoundation.org).