Ralph Lee Roy Graham

Ralph Graham, age 82, passed away on Monday January 7, 2013 at the Sentara Careplex in Hampton. He was a native of Clarinda, Iowa and had been a resident of Hampton for more than 44 years. Born on the same day as the United States Air Force on September 18, 1930 it seemed his destiny to join the AF in 1950. Ralph was a radar operator and served in New Mexico, Nebraska, California, South Carolina and Virginia as well as remote locations in Japan and Alaska. Among the highlights of his tours of duty included being the Radar Crew Chief on the RC-121 (53-555) known as the "Triple Nickel" which is currently on display at the Air Force Museum Foundation in Dayton, Ohio. As Crew Chief, he and his crew guided the "flying boxcars" to retrieve the Discovery capsules--some of our first entries and recoveries from space. Ralph flew more than 5000 hours on the "Connie" which was the forerunner of what is now called an AWACS aircraft. Ralph was sent to Langley AFB in 1968 and there he became one of the first radar operators with computer programming capability. In 1971, he retired as a MSgt from the AF and began a second career working for System Development Corporation (SDC) and later Unisys Corporation where his work focused on a huge data base for AF intelligence systems worldwide. On February 1, 1992 he retired from Unisys as a Senior Programmer Analyst/Senior Systems Requirements Analyst. Surviving members of his family include children David Graham, Laura Favata and husband Tony, and Lissa Graham-Schneider and husband Russell; grandchildren Lew Favata and wife Ashley, and Lydia Honghua Schneider; and great-grandchildren, Eric Ferguson, Gabby Ferguson, Lauryn Favata and Lewey Favata. He also is survived by his brother and best friend, Richard Graham and his wife Marilynn in Clarinda, Iowa. Ralph was preceded in death by his loving wife of nearly 55 years Joanne Graham. The family will receive friends on Thursday January 10, 2013 at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home from 7-8:30 pm. Funeral services with full military honors will be Friday January 11, 2013 at 2 pm at the Mausoleum Chapel at Parklawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Salvation Army who helped out a young airman far away from home many years ago. Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to chare memories and words of condolence with the family.