Howard E. Graham

SERVICES: 10:00 AM Thursday, October 6, 2011, at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Nick Matthews and Rev. Blossom Matthews, pastors, officiating.BURIAL: Fairview Cemetery, with military honors courtesy of U. S. Army, Fort Hood, Texas. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.BIOGRAPHY: Mr. Graham was born on July 22, 1926 in Farwell, Texas, to B.N. and Irene Graham, and attended Farwell public schools. After graduating from Farwell High School, he was drafted into the U.S. Army in November, 1944. Assigned to the Army's 158 Regiment Combat Team, Mr. Graham served in the Philippines for the duration of World War II. After the war ended, he was sent to Japan as part of the U.S. occupation forces. He was assigned to the 42nd General Hospital in Tokyo, where he worked until his discharge in November, 1946. Mr. Graham then enrolled at McMurry College in Abilene, Texas, majoring in history. Upon graduation, he took his first teaching position at Three Way, Texas. His next teaching position was at Iraan in Pecos County, Texas. In 1955, Mr. Graham began a 31-year career with the Pampa school system, first as a high school history teacher and later as head of the high school's History Department. Throughout his 31 years at Pampa High School, Mr. Graham taught in only one classroom, Room 206. At Pampa High, he served many years as the faculty advisor to the AFS exchange program. During this time, he received his master's degree from West Texas State University. He married a fellow teacher, Betty Tom Riddle Graham, on August 6, 1960. He and his wife traveled extensively in the United States and Canada, and later to Europe, until her death in 2007. Mr. Graham and his wife were active in the Pampa First United Methodist Church, where he chaired the Missions Committee for years. He was a long-time volunteer for Pampa Meals on Wheels, where until very recently he delivered meals every Wednesday. He also volunteered for the Good Samaritan Christian Services, the Pampa Community Concert Association, on whose board he served, and the White Deer Land Museum. Known affectionately as "Muggins" to his extended family, he is survived by a sister, Katie Lee Graham Ross of Morton, Texas; sisters-in-law Pauline Graham of Bend, Oregon, Darlene Riddle Wallace of Tuscaloosa, Alabama and Margaret Whisenant of San Diego, California; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, two brothers, Benton and John, and a sister, Eunice. Among his family, friends and former students, he was revered for his humor, his love of history, particularly American history, and his love of church. The family suggests memorials to the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1981, Pampa, Texas 79066-1981, or Pampa Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 939, Pampa, Texas 79066-0939.