Raymond Lloyd Graham, Jr Obituary (1934 - 2014)

Raymond Lloyd Graham Jr. went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, March 6, 2014. He was born on October 31, 1934, in Houston, Texas to Raymond Lloyd Graham and Mildred Dodillet Graham. During his early years, he grew up riding his horse, Princess, through the open fields and country side of what is now Bellaire and the Meyerland area. Raymond's school years were a bit more adventurous, traveling across America with his dad, mom, brother and sister. They finally settled in Inglewood, California where he graduated from Inglewood High School, attended the University of California at Berkley. He then enlisted in the Air Force and learned to fly planes at the Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. He was then stationed in Okinawa, Japan for the remainder of his Air Force Career. When he returned home, he and his dad opened the first Graham's Men's Wear store in Meyerland Plaza in 1957. They continued to open stores across Texas for the next 34 years. He also loved law enforcement and spent over 30 years with the Harris County Sheriff's Department, leaving with the rank of Lieutenant in 1995. He served there bravely, almost giving his life for a fellow officer during a drug bust in January, 1992. After working at Second Baptist Church until 2002, he and his wife Betty retired to the Texas Hill Country where they made many new friends. They were able to enjoy God's beautiful creation each and every day and lived their dreams until returning to Houston in November, 2013, because of his failing health. Raymond Lloyd Graham Jr. is preceded in death by his dad, Raymond Lloyd Graham Sr.; his mother, Mildred Dodillet Graham; his brother, Dr. Gordon C. Graham; and sister, Linda Graham Dyess. He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years Betty Garrett Graham of Pearland, Texas. He is also survived by his children, Elaine Graham Martin and husband Del Martin and Grandson Dustin Martin of Spring, TX; Byron Michael Graham, wife Jane Graham, Grandsons Michael and Christopher Graham, Rae Lynn Graham Heaton, husband Robert Heaton, Grandchildren Stephanie Winters and husband Dr. Ronnie Winters, Zachary and Stone Heaton; and Raymond Lloyd Graham III and wife Dee Ann Graham, grandchildren Lindsey Stuart, Jacob Bryan and Kennedy Nichole Graham, Ryan Lee Graham and his fiancee Kellie Christenson, granddaughter Jacie Austen Graham. He was a kind, generous man who loved is Lord and Savior and his family with all of his heart. He never met a stranger and would always stop to help someone in need. He was generous to a fault for those that he loved. His loving spirit, generous nature and mischievous personality will be sorely missed but never forgotten. We love you "Spook" and will see you soon in glory. A celebration of his life will be officiated by Pastor Lee Maxey at Second Baptist church in Houston, Texas on Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at 10:00 am.