Earl Graham

Earl L Graham, age 90, of Pine Bluff passed away May 14, 2016 at McClellan VA Hospital in Little Rock. Earl was born November 11, 1925 in Wichita, Kansas to the late Francis Leonard and Violet Sams of Weatherford, Okla. He worked on a farm in Clinton, Okla. and went to school in Weatherford. He left high school and joined the Marine Corp in 1944. He served in the Pacific with the 4th Marine Division. He was Honorably Discharged from the National Guard with the rank of Master Sergeant in 1952. Upon his return from service he met and married his best friend of 68 years Ruth L. Wilson in Fort Worth Texas on August 29, 1947. While living in Fort Worth he was employed by the United States Postal Service, then in 1957 moved to Pine Bluff where he was employed by Chief Pontiac Company as Service Manager. In 1961 he graduated from General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan. In 1973 he took ownership of the Snack Shop (aka:Shannon's) in Dollarway, and reopened a restaurant downtown on Main Street called "Grahams". He also opened the "Fun City" arcade in Dollarway saying, "the kids needed a place to hangout". He started independently building homes and was later employed by the City of Pine Bluff Community Development Department where he retired after 18 years. Earl was active in the community and belonged to different clubs and organizations. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and served as Master of the Jacob Brump Lodge 160 in Pine Bluff. He was also with the Shrine Clown Patrol. He was a member and later President of the Jaycees. He also belonged to the Chamber of Commerce. He had many hobbies. Loved playing golf, fishing, gardening and loved traveling with his wife. Earl was a lifetime member of Southside Baptist Church where he was a Sunday School teacher. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth L. Wilson Graham and his daughter, Beverly L Graham Ray. Survivors include four children: Robert (Lydia) Graham of Corpus Christie, Texas; Denise (Jimmy) Grace of Pine Bluff; Dalene Graham; Zack (Rhonda) Graham of Hot Springs and Son in law William Ray of Pine Bluff; nine grandchildren: Doyle Ray, Jordan (Zach) Ayres, Caleb Graham, Daniel (Roda) Gonzales, Lauren Gomez, Zane Graham, Kelly Grace, Emily Stephens and Roberta Hale; six great-grandchildren: Kaleigh and Lauren Casada, Dalton Ray, Davis and Cooper Stephens Mia Perez. A gravesite memorial service will be held at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock, May 23, 2016 at 1 p.m. Funeral arrangements where handled by Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home in North Little Rock. Friends of the family are welcome to attend. Pastor Robert F. Graham, son, will give the eulogy. The family of Earl L Graham would like to Thank the Palliative Care Team of McClellan VA Hosptial for their care, love and support given during their Dads sickness. They would also like to Thank the Hospice Angels of Pine Bluff for their loving care. In lieu of flowers the family has requested that you give to the many Veteran Programs here in Arkansas in honor of their Dad. Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.