Allen Duane Graham

Allen Duane Graham, 75, of Houston, Texas, passed away on May 9 from cardiac arrest. Allen was born on April 21, 1947 to Jack Ivey Graham and Lillian Cora Graham in Chicago, Illinois. After Allen graduated from Milford Township High School in Milford, Illinois in 1965, he served in the Vietnam War from 1966 - 1968 and earned the rank of corporal in the 4th Battalion of the 28th Artillery US Army. Serving as a Cannon Fire Direction Specialist, he earned a bronze service star for his efforts at the Tay Ninh province near Saigon. After an honorable discharge from the army at Fort Chaffee in Barling, Arkansas, Allen attended Westark Community College in Fort Smith on a GI Bill and earned an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science in 1979.

Allen had a career of more than 40 years in the industrial electric motor and controls manufacturing industry. He began in the industry when he joined Baldor Electric Company, headquartered in Fort Smith, Arkansas, in November 1972. During his 29 years with Baldor, Allen held various leadership positions in sales and marketing, including National Sales Manager for the company. He was instrumental in building Baldor to an industry leader in industrial electric motor manufacturing. In 1998, Allen left Baldor and joined WEG Electric Corporation, a Brazilian manufacturer of industrial electric motors and controls. Allen worked in the company’s North American operations headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, as the Director of Marketing. During his early years with WEG, Allen brought his knowledge of the industry to WEG and helped the company gain a foothold in the US market. In 2011, Allen was promoted to Vice President of Sales for the USA. He finished his career in the industry with WEG and retired in 2017. During Allen’s career, he was involved and active in several industry associations such as the Electrical Apparatus Service Association and the Power Transmission Distributors Association. Along the way, Allen made many friends in the industry. He was well respected for his knowledge of the business and had a reputation for being “one of the good guys!”

Allen is preceded in death by sons Christopher Allen Graham and Kevin Allen Graham. He is survived by wife, Cynthia Karen Graham of Houston, Texas, and eldest son Mark Allen Graham of Fort Smith, Arkansas. He is also survived by step-sons Rodney Brent Cook and Gregory Paul Cook of Fort Smith, Arkansas, and a step-daughter Susan Elizabeth Conaway and husband Seth Conaway of Provo, Utah. Allen is survived by sister Cindy Hayworth and her husband Jim of Bradenton, Florida, and brother Bruce Graham and his wife Mary Jo Graham of Wheaton, Illinois. Allen’s grandchildren include Journey Graham, Cassidy Copeland, Hannah Fowler, and Justus Graham of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Kaden Lords of Wasilla, Alaska, and Elsa Jane Conaway of Provo, Utah. Great-grandchildren include Zayden Welch, Ezra Thompson of Fort Smith, and Delilah Lords and Triston Lords of Wasilla, Alaska. He also leaves nieces Jillian Fulton and Jacquelyn Huber and nephew Chief Warrant Officer 4 Todd White. We also recognize a special boy in Fairbanks, Alaska, Owen Raymond.

Serving the Lord was a priority for Allen. In Overland Park, Kansas, he was a member of First Family Church and served as a Comfort Circle leader counseling veterans. At Lawrenceville First Baptist Church in Lawrenceville, Georgia, Allen served as a deacon. In Houston, Allen was an active member of Second Baptist Church Woodway. He served as a deacon and enjoyed fellowship in the Ironmen Bible Study group. Allen supported Cindy’s bible teaching by assisting in her ministry with adult Sunday school teaching wherever he was needed. He was also dedicated to the Ukrainian relief projects through Second Baptist Church Woodway.

Allen had many interests. Although Allen was a Yankee by birth, he was converted into an avid Razorback fan and later enjoyed watching the Houston Astros. Allen loved all things motorized and indulged his love of cars as a NASCAR fan. With a love of gadgets, Allen was an authority on all things technology. Allen’s wit and easy-going nature will be dearly missed.

Allen will be laid to rest in Fort Smith, Arkansas. A visitation will be held at Edwards Funeral Home at 201 North 12th Street on Wednesday, May 18 from 5 - 7 p.m. The funeral service with military honors will be at the Fort Smith National Cemetery at 522 Garland Avenue on Thursday, May 19 at 1 p.m.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on June 6 at Second Baptist Church at 6400 Woodway Drive in Houston, Texas. A reception will follow in the Deacons’ Parlor. The memorial service will be livestreamed. A link will be provided by Second Baptist Woodway.

Floral arrangements may be sent to the memorial service in Houston by contacting Blossoms Floral 6401 Woodway Drive, Suite 131. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Second Baptist “Make Your Mark” campaign to support the new children’s building or to Samaritanspurse.org “Crisis in Ukraine” to support relief efforts.

The service for Allen can be livestreamed at: https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.second.org/liveevents__;!!M2D_dUfSiN4E!LQgREyFEcQzjpMTdeZ2pryVl4louofErmOV_vXpA9I3FNzp3akWDDiosCY6kKeBniEfdUAbaHpllatcOmvRJs1aExLUtHzkm$