Vernon E. Graham

Vernon Everette Graham, 90, of Denton, Texas, formerly of McGregor, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, February 19, 2018, after an extended battle with cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Visitation will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 23, 2018 at College Avenue Baptist Church in McGregor with funeral services to follow at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. David Thompson officiating. Burial will follow at Restland Cemetery in Gatesville. Vernon was born on March 16, 1927, to Joseph Laurence and Sarah Belle Graham at Brown’s Creek, Texas. He served in the US Army during World War II, Occupation of Japan. On November 14, 1947, he married Mary Ann Davis of Hay Valley, Texas, and remained a faithful husband to his “Sweet Lady” for 70 years. Vernon was a farmer in Hamilton and Coryell counties for several years before moving to McGregor to work in the evolving rocket industry. He later worked at General Tire and Rubber Company in Waco. He retired when the company closed and lived for over thirty years with Mary Ann in the beautiful home they built on their farm. During this time, he worked for his Savior at College Avenue Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, in worship services at Westview Manor Nursing Home, and as a farmer and rancher. In 2011, he moved to Denton because of failing health to be closer to extended family. Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Laurence and Sarah Belle Graham; two brothers, J.C. (Ruby) and Chester Graham; and two sisters, Anna Belle (Bob) Mears and Ruth (L.C.) Roberts. Remaining to cherish his memory are his wife, Mary Ann of Denton; his daughter and son-in-law, Belva and Gene Parham of Denton; grandchildren, Jennie (Scott) Ford of Gainesville and Crystal Hawkins of Lantana; great-grandchildren, Megan (Robbie) Kerchoff of Northlake, Morgan (fiancée, John Terry) Thurman of Sanger, and Ethan Thurman of Gainesville; a sister-in-law, Lila Graham; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The family wishes to thank the staff of the Memory Care Unit of Countryside Nursing and Rehabilitation in Pilot Point, Texas, as well as the nurses and Palliative Care staff at Medical City Hospital, Denton, for their loving and gentle care. Anyone wishing to honor Vernon’s memory with a gift may do so by sending a memorial to College Avenue Baptist Church, 201 S. Monroe Ave., McGregor, TX 76657; The American Cancer Society, 8900 John W. Carpenter Frwy., Dallas, TX 75247; Alzheimer’s Association Greater Dallas, 3001 Knox St., Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75205; or a charity of your choice.