Kenneth Eugene "Kenny" Graham
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 3D - May 27, 2012
Kenneth Eugene "Kenny" Graham,
of Loveland Colorado
passed away Thursday, May 17,
2012, as a result of a massive
heart attack at the age of 83. He
was surrounded by his wife and
four children at the time of his
death.
Born on January 19, 1929, to
Mark and Ethel Graham, Kenny
was a second generation native of
Grand Junction, Colorado. He
grew up to be a very mischievous
and lively young boy. In the
summer, he could be found hopping
rides on the ice truck or
diving off of the Black Bridge
into the Gunnison River. He even
mentioned smoking driftwood because
it was the only thing he
could get his hands on.
In 1947, Kenneth graduated
from Grand Junction High School. He then hopped a freight train to
California with a friend for an adventurous trip. Upon returning,
Kenny served four years in the Navy from 1949 to 1952, including
his time on the USS Salisbury Sound during the Korean War. He
was awarded the China Service Medal, the Navy Occupation Service
medal for his participation in active duty in Asia, the Korean
medal and the United Nations medal. Soon after, he joined the Elks,
of which he was a loyal member for 60 years.
At the age of 16, "Keg", as his coworkers called him, began working
for the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad as a call boy.
After his service in the Navy, he rejoined the D&RGW as a crew
dispatcher, and then later became a clerk. He was promoted to Passenger
and Freight Agent in 1981. He was the last person to hold
that position for the D&RGW in Grand Junction. During this time,
he also was the Data Processing Supervisor for areas between Denver
and Salt Lake City.
On March 8, 1953, he married Norma Jean Malleis. For their honeymoon,
they went fishing and camping in Glenwood Canyon and
hiked up to the historic Crystal Mill. They created countless memories
together traveling the country and camping with their children
and friends. They were married for 59 years.
Kenny had a life-long love for dogs and owned several during his
life. He also loved fishing, hunting, camping, target shooting and
watching baseball. He spent his life instilling these passions in all of
his children. He had a bright sense of humor and wit and was the
kindest man anyone ever could have known. His legacy will live on
for generations to come and he will truly be missed.
He is survived by his wife, Norma Jean "Jeannie" Graham; his
children, Roger Graham of Denver; Ronald Graham (Jodi) of Colorado
Springs; Grant Graham (Lorinda) of Evanston, Wyoming, and
Kari Bridenbaugh (David) of Wellington; his grandchildren, Ben
Graham, Kendra Lapp, Brittany Todd, and Stephanie Graham; three
great-grandchildren, and his brother, Dennis Marvin "Denny" Graham
(Deanie) of Evans. He is preceded in death by his father, Mark
"Mickey" Graham; mother, Ethel Marie Graham, and sister, Joyce
Anna Peterson.
A memorial service will be held Friday, June 8, 2012, at 1:00 p.m.
at Callahan-Edfast Funeral Home in Grand Junction, Colorado.
There will be a private military ceremony at graveside following, for
immediate family only, at Veteran's Memorial Cemetery.
