Retired Major Ralph Tharp Graham

Retired Air Force Major Ralph Tharp Graham passed from this life to dwell in the House of the Lord after a life of service to his country, the church, and his family. Born to Jesse P. and Mary Graham in Houston, Texas, he moved to Arizona in time to graduate from Tucson High School. He met Betty, the love of his life at the church his father pastored, and they were married in Biloxi, MS., where he was in Air Force training. He excelled at his specialty in the Air Force and after a few years and an assignment to Libya (his first son, David was born while he was there), he had reached the rank of Technical Sergeant. While assigned to March AFB, Ca. his second son, Richard was born. After graduating Officer Candidate School, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and transferred to Taiwan (which is where daughter Cheryl was born). His continuing Air Force career included assignments to Vandenberg AFB, Ca., Danang AB, Vietnam, Kelly AFB, Tx., and Wheeler AFB, Ha., before culminating at Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo. His efforts were essential to the defense and security of our nation during much of the Cold War. Many airmen owe their lives to the effective intelligence work he helped lead during those years.

The church was like home away from home for Ralph and Betty. They were involved in church activities and also raised their children to know the Lord. After the Air Force, he was called to pastoral service and was Minister of Education at College Hills Baptist Church for several years before moving to pastor the Baptist church in Cornville, AZ. Their last church home was Southland Baptist Church in San Angelo, Texas.

After the Air Force, he earned his Bachelor of Business in Accounting from Angelo State University. He worked as a Certified Public Accountant with several local firms before finally retiring in 2002.

But Ralph’s life was not just a chronological listing of jobs held and places lived. It was really a tale of dedication to God, Country and Family. He gave his best every day; working, studying, and teaching the rest of us how to live responsible, patriotic, and caring lives. Although he was a preacher for a time, he didn’t just preach sermons – he lived them. He seldom missed a day of work and it seemed like he was always working on something at home, whether it was the yard, or car, or some other home improvement. Most of all, he had a deep well-spring of love for his family. Betty once remarked she was convinced “he was an angel on Earth”.

Ralph was preceded in death by his Mom and Dad, Betty’s parents and his sister Eloise. He is survived by the love of his life Betty, sister Beulah, daughter Cheryl Pennington, sons David and Richard and their families, including 2 daughters-in-law (Renee and Debbie), 6 grandchildren (Vickie Campbell and husband Daniel, Amber Wilhite and husband Wayne, Ashley Aguilar, Laura Brown and husband Ruben, Kelley and James), and 3 great grandchildren (Clarissa Campbell, and Eric and Gavin Wilhite). The Inurnment with celebration of life will be held at Fairmount Memorial Cemetery in San Angelo on Dec 30, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. Family and friends may sign an online guestbook at www.johnsons-funeralhome.com