His father, “Lefty” was a lawyer and head of the law department at Houston Lighting and Power. His mother, Dorothy, was a housewife, raising him and his younger brother, Larry.
His grandfather, Tom A. Graham, served as Harris County Commissioner in 1933. His great grandmother was part of the Hillendahl family, one of the original settlers in Spring Branch.
Tom excelled in high school football and track and field. He attended Baylor University on a track scholarship and left after two years to pursue a position overseas in the oil industry. His plans changed when he was drafted into the armed forces.
Tom was a veteran of the United States Army, and served as an MP during the Korean War. He was very proud to have served his country and organized multiple reunions with his fellow Army buddies throughout the years. He also served as President of his army reunion committee.
After he was discharged from the army, Tom joined the Harris County Sheriff’s Department. A few years later he was hired by Houston Lighting and Power, in the Land and Right of Way Department, where he worked for over 30 years until his retirement in 1990.
Tom enjoyed watching college and pro football and professional boxing. He also enjoyed deer, quail and dove hunting, reading about history and military aircraft, discussing politics, collecting stamps and roadmaps, and attending his army reunions. He enjoyed oysters on the half shell and a good steak, as well as a fine cigar and glass of scotch. He loved his family and followed his children’s extracurricular activities as they were growing up. He dearly loved his pets, dogs Frisky and Muffy, and his extended pet dog family Rascal, Sadie, Gizmo, Angel, Ace, and Bella. He was an avid story teller and loved to reminisce about his adventures growing up. Tom loved traveling by car. Some of his favorite destinations were Destin, Florida, Santa Fe, New Mexico, San Antonio, Texas, and various parts of Louisiana.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents and his brother. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Nancy Lee Graham; children, son Michael Graham & wife Pat, daughter Rhonda Vargas & husband Marcq, and son Douglas Graham.
A visitation will be held Friday, September 16, 2022 from 10 AM – 11 AM at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1515 Hillendahl Blvd., with the funeral service beginning at 11 AM. A reception will be held afterward at Waltrip Funeral Directors, 1415 Campbell Rd., from 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM. The interment will be held Monday, September 19, 2022 at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale St., at 1 PM.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.waltripfuneraldirectors.com for the Graham family.
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