Lt. Col. Edward T. Graham, USMC, Ret.

Lt. Col. Edward T. Graham, USMC, Ret. “Slipped the surly bonds of earth” on his final flight on Aug. 29, 2015. A native of Montgomery, AL son of the late Lottie (nee Baker) and Judge Edward Graham. He attended Auburn University and enlisted in the Naval Cadet Aviation Program. He won his wings in Pensacola and was commissioned a second Lt. in the USMC. He is a part of USMC Aviation history. He led a flight of A4D Sky Hawks jets across the Pacific Ocean from El Torro, CA to Atsugi, Japan, requiring six aerial refuelings. Ed graduated from the AF Command and Staff College, served in the Pentagon, and commanded a squadron of A4 attack air craft in combat over RVN. A modest and humble hero he has been awarded sixteen decorations including the DFC, and the Purple Heart.

He retired to Sarasota with his beloved wife, Debbie (whom he met in RVN while she was an Army Nurse) to pursue his passion for boating. He opened his own business still leaving plenty of time for fishing, boating, and his hobby of wood working in which he was highly skilled. Ed volunteered at the Red Cross, he taught advanced piloting for the USPS. Ed had a droll sense of humor and was “the only gut bucket virtuoso east of the Mississippi.” His gentleness and goodness will be missed by so many.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary and his much loved other “Mom”, Florence Benham. He is survived by his heart broken wife, Debbie; his fury companion, Buddy; many in-laws, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews and two goddaughters. Full military honors will be held at Sarasota National Cemetery on Fri. June 24, 2016 at 11 am.