Nashville – Edward W. Graham, Jr, a retired Genesco Executive, died December 29, 2019 at the age of 97. He was preceded in death by Betty B. Graham, his wife of 64 years, his daughter Edie Graham Waggoner and his parents Katie Sharpe Graham and Edward W. Graham, Sr. He is survived by his daughter Bebe Whittemore (Charles), his sons Edward W. Graham, III (Cecil), Arthur Graham (Pattie) and John Graham, plus eight granddaughters, five great-grandsons and four great-granddaughters.
Ed graduated from Wallace University, where he played football, basketball and baseball. He later graduated from Vanderbilt University, playing basketball and baseball and was a member of the SAE fraternity.
He joined the Marine Corps in 1942 while at Vanderbilt, served in the Pacific and Japan, resigning from the Marine Corps as a Captain. After the war, Ed joined the Flying Squadron trainee program at General Shoe Corp, which later became Genesco. He became President of the Jarman Shoe Company, Group President of several divisions and was a member of the Board of Directors of Genesco. He was active at Genesco for 43 years and after retirement became Chairman of the Genesco Restricted Retirement Trust for fourteen years. Ed was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, serving as a Deacon and Elder. He was a former President of Matthew 25 at First Presbyterian Church and a member of Belle Meade Country Club.
Visitation will be at the Cheek House at First Presbyterian Church, 4815 Franklin Road on Thursday, January 2, 2020 from 10 am until 11 am, followed by a Memorial Service at Stanford Chapel with Sandra Randleman officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to First Presbyterian Church.
