Eugene "Gene" B Graham

Eugene Berrien Graham, III passed away on December 3, 2017. Gene was born on December 10, 1926 in Charlotte, NC to Melle Beard Graham and Eugene Berrien Graham, Jr. He was their only child. Gene attended Dilworth Elementary School, Alexander Graham Junior High School, and Central High School. He was an accomplished football player for Central and played in the Shrine Bowl in 1944.

Gene was drafted out of high school into the United States Army in 1945 and served as a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne Division from 1945 until 1947. He was stationed in Japan as an occupational troop following the end of World War II.

Gene was a Tar Heel born and a Tar Heel bred and when he died he was a Tar Heel dead. Gene went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill after he was discharged from the Army and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce. He was a Sigma Chi with several of his friends from Charlotte. He met his future wife, Helena Hunter, at summer school at Carolina in 1949.

Gene worked for First Union National Bank (now Wells Fargo) following graduation until his retirement in 1992. Gene worked for First Union for 42 years. He loved that bank and made lifelong friends there. The highlight of his retirement party was the “What Part Of No Don’t You Understand?” T-shirts given to the attendees. Suffice it to say, his co-workers and his children were quite familiar with that expression.

Gene served on the Board of Trustees for the Consolidated University of North Carolina System and was instrumental in the expansion of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and University City. Gene also served as President of the Charlotte Mortgage Bankers’ Association.

Gene was a lifetime and fourth generation member, faithful attendee, children’s Sunday School teacher, Deacon, and Treasurer at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte. After Gene retired, he volunteered with Loaves and Fishes at First Presbyterian Church and at Presbyterian Hospital for years.

Gene was an avid golfer. He was a member and Saturday morning regular at Carmel Country Club having joined the Club in 1960. He was mighty proud of his hole in one there. After his retirement, he enjoyed traveling and playing golf with the Tarheel Seniors and the ROFs.

Gene was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his best friend and devoted wife of 54 years, Helena Hunter Graham. Gene is also survived by his daughter, Gena Graham Morris, her husband, Chuck, and their children, Adele and Sedlee, as well as his son, John Hunter Graham, his wife, Romy, and their children, Clarkson and Harris.

The Graham family thanks the many caregivers who took such loving care of Gene and his family in his waning months.

There will be a service to celebrate Gene’s life well lived on Friday, December 8, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte. Following the service, Gene will be buried in Elmwood Cemetery alongside his parents. On Thursday, December 7, 2017, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., the family will have a visitation at Harry and Bryant, 500 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28207.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any charitable donations in Gene’s memory be made to First Presbyterian Church, Television Ministry, 200 West Trade Street, Charlotte, NC 28202.