Gordon Miles Graham, 85, of Indianapolis, went home to be with the Lord on November 17, 2019. Born October 6, 1934 to Thornton and Dorothy, he joins them, his wife of 45 years, Jo Ann; his sisters, Donna McCoy and Doris Lyons (Bill); his grandson, Gordon Robert (“Rob”); and his great-nephew, Matthew, in Heaven. He is survived by his daughter, Karen Nealy (Julian) of West Point, GA; his sons, Gordon “Todd” (Carolyn) of Cincinnati, OH, and Mark (Susan) of Indianapolis; and his significant other, Sue Ellen Greenlee of Carmel. Also surviving him are nine grandchildren, Elizabeth and Laura Nealy of Birmingham; AnnMarie, Jack, and Will Graham of Cincinnati; Caroline Stieneker (Jake) and Peter, Katherine, and David Graham of Indianapolis; one great-grandchild, D. Shane Nealy of West Point; three step-grandsons, Deas Nealy (Jennifer) of Asheville, NC; Barten Nealy (Tammy) of Madison, GA; and Brannon Nealy (Mandy) of Richmond, VA; four step-great-granddaughters, Emory Anne and Olivia Nealy of Athens, GA; and Carson and Leah Nealy of Richmond; and many nieces and nephews.
A strong believer in education, Gordon became an Eagle Scout at 15 and graduated from Broad Ripple High School in 1952. He earned a B.S. in Economics from Purdue University where was a member of Phi Delta Theta. He then earned his Master’s in Business Administration from rival Indiana University, although his allegiance never wavered from the Boilermakers, despite his wife’s unending Hoosier pride. He then served in the U.S. Army National Guard and began putting his education to work, building his father’s business, Graham Electronics, to new heights. His dedication to that led him to pursue over 3 consecutive winters an additional certification by attending Harvard University’s Smaller Company Management Program. Eventually, his “smaller company” was no longer small, and he sold it to Bell Industries in 1983. After moving to Los Angeles, CA, he eventually became Bell’s Chief Executive Officer, before retiring in 2000.
The growth and success of the business was gratifying for Gordon, but so was the sense of family cultivated among those who worked there over the years, as evidenced by reunions of employees as recently as 2011. After all, it was a “family business.” His father, the company founder, could be seen changing lightbulbs at the South Penn location well beyond his retirement. It was a summer and after-school job for all three of Graham children as teens, as well as for several nieces and nephews, and a career-launcher for Mark after college.
Deep love of family eventually brought Gordon and Jo Ann “back home again” to Indiana from California. Retirement allowed Gordon to pour his time into grandchildren, golf, and travel. When he was not enjoying his second homes in Naples, FL, and Hilton Head, SC, he was on the road for grandkids’ sporting events, performances and school events, as well as the “big trips” he loved to plan and take. He accomplished his goal of visiting every one of the 50 states and all 7 continents.
Yet he still found time to give back to his community. Guided by his commitment to life-long learning, he served on the Board of Goodwill Industries of Central & Southern Indiana for nearly two decades. He was instrumental in the opening of the Excel Centers, a tuition-free high school option for adults which also gives students the opportunity to earn college credits and industry certifications. There are now fifteen Excel Centers throughout Indiana, and over 4,500 students have earned their diplomas. Also guided by his quiet but unwavering faith in God, he found time to serve on a council at Second Presbyterian Church.
The combined Graham & Greenlee families (now numbering 55!) have enjoyed gathering for five big reunion weekends over the past 15 years. Five years ago, Gordon and Sue Ellen embarked on a new season of life at The Barrington of Carmel and St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, where they worshipped when they were not in Naples or Hilton Head. In his final year at the Barrington, while Gordon lived either in Memory Support or Skilled Nursing, he was faithfully assisted by staff as well as an A-Team of wonderful caregivers that he loved and our family so appreciated.
For those who favor a memorial contribution in lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Goodwill Foundation of Central & Southern Indiana or to the Alzheimers’ Association.
Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 21, 2019, at Leppert Mortuary - Nora Chapel, 740 E. 86th Street. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 22, 2019, at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, with a calling there one hour prior and a graveside service afterward at Crown Hill Cemetery.
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