Charles J. Graham

Dr. Charles ‘Chuck’ Graham (93) of Winter Park, Florida passed away peacefully on October 24, 2025 in Mandeville, Louisiana. Born on October 16, 1932 in Aberdeen, Washington to Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth D. Graham, he was the middle child of three sons. The Graham’s were an avid outdoors family and Chuck learned at an early age how to hunt and fish. He especially enjoyed duck hunting and fly fishing, passions that would become lifelong activities. The family also had a devotion to music and Chuck developed a special talent of playing piano, a talent he would share with so many over his lifetime.

Chuck attended Aberdeen High School. A scholar athlete, he excelled in academics, high jumping on the track team, swimming and playing coronet in the marching band. Upon graduation, he attended the University of Washington, and was a member of Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. His academic achievements provided early acceptance into Northwestern University’s Dental School in Chicago after only his junior year of undergraduate study. While at Northwestern, he met Helen Cole, from Ocala, Florida. They married on December 30, 1956 and began a 61-year lifelong devotion to each other until her passing in 2017. Chuck was commissioned as a Captain in the Air Force and upon completion of his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree was assigned to McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento, California. There they would have their first two sons. Following his military service, Chuck briefly practiced dentistry in Gainesville, Florida, then went to The Ohio State University to pursue a Master of Science degree in Periodontics. The family then returned to Florida, this time to Winter Park, where Dr. Graham established private practice as one of the first periodontists in Central Florida. Over the next 36 years, Dr. Graham built a reputation for clinical excellence, as well as his warm caring nature and genuine attention given to each patient. He was a member of The American Board of Periodontology, Southern Academy of Periodontology (President 85-86), Florida Dental Association and the Orange County Dental Society (President “89) as well as many other dental groups and associations helping to further the profession.

Chuck’s life was rich beyond his periodontal practice. In 1966, they built a home on Bear Gully Lake and their family expanded to four sons. The lake was the perfect place to homestead and instill in the boys a love for everything outdoors. Bear Gully Lake and the Graham family canal house on Hood Canal in Washington State were Chuck’s two favorite places to be. He would make at least one annual pilgrimage a year back to the Pacific Northwest to be with his mother and brothers, His visits always included plenty of time at the canal house, hiking and fishing in the Olympic Mountains.

Chuck and Helen made First Presbyterian Church of Maitland their home where Chuck was a deacon, member of the session and a mainstay in the praise band and choir. Sharing his musical talent gave him joy and his passion for piano allowed him to share his talent at church, parties, local bands and most especially family. He was always the star attraction as friends and family gathered around the piano at Christmas to sing carols as he played. He published several CD’s that his family and friends hold dear. Chuck answered to many names - Dad, Pops, Chuckles and

he will always be remembered for making time for his family first and giving selflessly through his wonderful sense of humor, genuine humility and unconditional love.

Dr. Graham is preceded in death by his beloved wife Helen, his youngest son Richard Dudley (Jennifer), his brothers Kenneth and Ronald. He is survived by his sons Charles Scott (Debbie), James Cole (Shannon), Edward Kenneth (Sandra), grandchildren Helen Laine (Coleman), Elizabeth Ann (Sean), James Cole Jr, Kaitlyn Chace (Cody), Duncan Dudley (Sydney), Kimberly Faith, Margaret Adele, Jack Edward, and James Anthony, and great grandsons Graham and John Gandy.

A private memorial service will be held in Winter Park Florida at a future date. Chuck will be laid to rest beside his soulmate Helen in Ocala, Florida.