John R. Graham

John R. Graham, 79, of Lincoln, Nebraska, passed away August 27, 2026. Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on December 8, 1946, John was the only child of Ralston and Jeanne (McQuiston) Graham. He graduated from Lincoln High in 1965 and went on to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, earning a bachelor’s degree in business in 1969. Even though there were bumps along the road, John returned to his family and his faith.

After high school, John served in the military for three years. After his military service, he worked for A.C. Nielsen (Nielsen ratings) for many years and was the Lincoln branch manager at the time the Lincoln office closed, when John was 45. From then until full retirement, he served Lincoln Public Schools in the transportation department—beginning as a bus driver and retiring as routing manager in 2010—work that reflected his reliability and care for the needs of others.

On February 14, 1969, John married his high school sweetheart, G’Nell Palmer, and they made their home in Lincoln, where they raised three children. Family life was marked by simple, meaningful traditions: movies, Friday night Valentino’s pizza, card games, and the warmth of reading aloud to the children until they were old enough to read on their own. The family traveled every other summer to California to visit members of G’Nell’s family; in other years they went to Christian family camp in Minnesota, often in their Chevy Starcraft conversion van. John attended his children’s events with faithful consistency, including traveling to Kearney to watch their daughter Kara play college basketball, and later supporting her as she coached back in Lincoln. Though John and G’Nell parted ways after their children were out of high school, they continued to support their children together.

John was a Nebraska Cornhusker sports fan. When he moved into The Martha House, he took part in the community there—joining in shuffleboard, bingo, and pitch with a group of men who, it was said, would not begin until John joined them. His devotion also shone through in his faith. John attended Lincoln Berean Church and studied his Bible. When his daughter Lisa prepared a Bible study, he would study with her; and when he was no longer able to attend services in person, he watched online with his son Mark.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Ralston and Jeanne Graham; his friend and ex-wife, G’Nell Graham; and several aunts and uncles. He is survived by his children: son Mark Graham, daughter Lisa Graham, and daughter Kara Graham, as well as many cousins.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, September 4, 2026, at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 South 14th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska. Burial at Lincoln Memorial Park and Cemetery will immediately follow the funeral service.

Please consider a memorial donation to the Alzheimer’s Association via the link below.