John Robert Graham, devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, and respected member of the community, passed away peacefully on Jul 20, 2025, at the age of 85. He was born on March 26, 1940, in Detroit, MI to John R. Graham and Jessie Scott Graham.
John lived a life marked by dedication and an unwavering commitment to his family, his country and his church. John married his beloved wife, Joyce Ann Pulju, on March 10,1962. She preceded him in death in 2002. They traveled the world with the United States Air Force and settled in San Angelo in 1976. John was a supporter of the Arts. He and Joyce enjoyed season tickets to the San Angelo Symphony as well as the Civic Theatre. John supported Angelo State University’s FAME, a non-profit organization providing scholarship funds to qualifying students in the Department of Art and Music. John was active in the church St. Luke United Methodist, sang in the choir, and taught adult Sunday school classes. He could also be found on a ladder changing light bulbs or doing what was needed over the years.
He is survived by his children Sherry Knuth and husband Lee, Kathy O’Brian and husband Bob; his grandchildren, Caitlin Swanson and husband Mike; Keegan Emerson, Ansley Emerson and partner Jeremy Hoffeld; brother David Graham and wife Kathy; niece Kim Wells and husband Warren Thompson; sisters-in-law Sharon Seitz, Susan Pulju, and brother-in-law Russel Pulju and wife Denise and a host of extended family and friends who have warm memories of his life.
A Funeral service will be held at St. Luke United Methodist Church San Angelo, TX on July 25th at 10:00am followed by a graveside service at Johnson’s Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to National Public Radio via Texas Tech Public Media, which includes NPR San Angelo (KNCH) on 90.1 FM https://radio.kttz.org/npr-san-angelo-90-1fm-knch or to World Wildlife Fund https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/ways-to-support-wwf - both organizations John passionately supported for many years.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude for the love and support shared during this difficult time.
