George "Bob" Robert Graham

Bob was born Aug 24, 1931 to Aurelia Muir and Lawrence Robert Graham in Salt Lake City, UT. His family called him Bud, but he answered to Bob, Robert and G. Robert throughout his life. Bob thought he was done with education upon graduation from South High, but a summer of laying bricks in the sun changed his mind. Soon after, he enrolled at the University of Utah and joined the Utah National Guard (1950-1960).

Bob was blessed with a beautiful solo tenor voice and singing brought him much joy. He was skilled at matching pitch and often put his finger in his ear to make sure he had it just right. He joined Sacra Dulce Chorus (SDC) after college where he met, and made many lifelong friends. He was a natural leader and served as President of SDC many times. Over the years he sang in the Kennard Chorale, Crossroads Chorale, Wasatch Singers, and was a fixture in the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ward choir.

He was the original “Bob the Builder'', although he focused on building people and community most of all. He was skilled at fixing things and made sure he always had the right tools. He was President of the East Mill Creek Lion's Club and greatly expanded the 4th of July midway for over 14 years by encouraging the entire neighborhood to run carnival games alongside him.

Scouting was another of Bob's passions and he often led adventures in the great outdoors dating back to when he was Vice President of SOCOTWA, a river running organization. Bob made sure that if the river somehow didn’t get you wet, he did.

Bob was a born salesman with a contagious laugh and a quick smile. He was charismatic, personable and had a nickname for nearly everyone. Although the origins of many nicknames are still being fact-checked.

Throughout his career, he used his skills as a salesman for the Paris Company, Mine and Smelter, Manager of L. H. Butcher Chemical Company, Home Life Insurance, McGraw-Hill and UARCO Business Forms.

That being said, his crowning sales job was convincing Patricia Kelsey to marry him. Elder Harold B. Lee sealed them in the Salt Lake Temple Jan 26, 1962, and they would have celebrated 59 years together next week. Bob and Pat were privileged to have three daughters and three sons join their family in East Millcreek. Bob was proud of their many accomplishments including their education, missions and mostly quick wits. He counted his children as his greatest treasure.

Bob had a deep testimony of the truthfulness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and regularly served in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Scoutmaster was his favorite assignment, although he did enjoy dressing up in costume to present lessons in 1st person as an instructor.

Bob presided as Branch President at the Wasatch Valley Rehabilitation for many years where he conducted and sang at numerous funerals of dear friends. He served several part-time and full-time church service missions, including a full time assignment with his wife Pat to Detroit Michigan (2004-2005).

On Friday morning, January 15, Bob “graduated summa cum laude” (class of one) and was released from the terrible pain he suffered after 89 years of dedicated service, laughter and love. He is survived by his wife, Pat and their six children and spouses: Loralee (Todd) Christensen; Andrea (Lynn) Elliott; Scott (DaShelle Hanson); Brett (Sara Pingree); Matt (Amy Baird) and Mindy. He was "Grandpaw" to Brittany (Jason Christiansen), Cassie, Allyssa (Nathan Pehrson), Timo, Danni, Kendra, Marissa, Elizabeth, Kate (Will Makin), Will, Emily, Isaac, Nate, Drew, Caroline, Josh, Nico, Enoch, Bekah, Elle, Sophie, James; seven great-grandchildren: Luke, Kelsey, Jackson, Eliza, Claire, Oakley and Jonathan.

Funeral services for the family will be held Thursday Jan 21st, at 2 pm at the Valley View Stake Center, and live-streamed, or viewed later, via the Holbrook Mortuary Website https://www.HolbrookMortuary.com/listings where Bob’s obituary will have the link. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn.