Bobby Ray Graham's Obituary
Bobby Graham Obituary
Bobby Ray Graham, age 70, died peacefully on December 30, 2022 at his home in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. His daughter, Chelsey White, was with him at the time of his passing.
Born February 2, 1952 to John and Thelma Graham in Baxter Springs, Kansas, Bob grew up in Park City, Kansas with his parents and siblings. He graduated from Valley Center High School in 1970, then served in the United States Air Force.
Bob married Carolyn Wendling, whom he met in high school in 1972. They resided in the Wichita area until moving for Bob's job transfer to New Mexico. Bob and Carolyn have two children together, Cindi and Daniel. In 1991, Bob married Gina Gianessi (deceased) from Albuquerque. They resided in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and have one child Chelsey.
Surviving family members include daughter, Cindi and husband Al Norton of Florida, grandsons Tyler and Tanner Norton both currently serving in the United States Army; son Daniel Graham and fiancée Joanna Chavez of New Mexico; and daughter Chelsey and husband Colby White and grandson Christian and 4 step grandchildren of Oklahoma. His surviving siblings are sisters Dixie and husband Virgil Luff of Missouri; Nina and husband Steve Theis of Ohio; brothers Fred Graham and wife Diane of Oregon; Frankie Graham and wife Brenda of Kansas, Johnnie Graham (wife Sandy deceased) of Kansas; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, John and Thelma Graham of Oklahoma, sisters, Janice Sue Graham of Kansas and Velma Ledgerwood of Oklahoma, and brothers Doyle Wallberg of Missouri, and Jimmy Graham of Oklahoma.
Bob loved riding motorcycles from a young age and continued to ride for many years. His longest solo ride was from New Mexico to Oregon and back. He also enjoyed owning and driving corvettes. Bob loved fishing and camping with his parents and siblings growing up and well into adulthood. He enjoyed a variety of activities throughout his lifetime including metal detecting, racing cars at the Wichita drag strip, working on many cars with his brothers, including rebuilding the engine of a 1938 Oldsmobile. He liked hiking, riding dirt bikes and 3 wheelers way back when, and going to Las Vegas and nearby Tulsa casinos. Bob took up woodworking and crafted several pieces of furniture. He was very good at billiards having his own favorite pool que and several pool tables over his lifetime. Bob enjoyed playing softball mostly pitching. Bob was an involved father in his children's activities as a coach in various sports, an umpire, and scout leader. As a pet lover he took good care of several dogs and cats for their entire life.
Bob spent most of his career specializing in the medical and welding gas field working for Union Carbide in Wichita, KS and Albuquerque, NM and then Jimmy Jones and Air Gas in the Broken Arrow, OK area. He retired from Air Gas several years ago after a 25 year career.
Bob had many great qualities, and he will always be loved and missed dearly. Rest in peace Bobby Ray Graham.
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