Leroy A. Graham, age 58, of Webb City, Missouri passed away Wednesday, November 11, 2015.
He was born in Grant City, Missouri to Fred and Madelyn (Moles) Graham.
Leroy was a hard worker and started working at a young age. He started with working in the garden, then as an older child bailing hay. While attending school, he would leave the house early so he could set traps and then collect his trappings on the way home. In school, he became a top long distance runner. He would practice by running ten miles to school every morning with his best friend. At a young age he was placed in the Baptist Children’s Home, then into Raymond “Doc” and Esther Wisdom’s home. This was found to be a positive change in his life, which lead to him becoming a foster parent.
At the age of seventeen, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. On his first day of basic training he was 5’ 11” and upon his discharge he was 6’ 6”. During his time in the Air Force, he served as a Communications Specialist and continued his service to his country by serving as an Air Force Reservist and in the Missouri Air National Guard.
Leroy worked as a garage door installer and troubleshooter and also owned a small projects construction business. He was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed fishing and hunting. He especially liked deer hunting, using either a bow or a long gun. He spent many deer seasons camping and shared this love with his children. He was an avid NASCAR fan and enjoyed racing his “Baby”, a red 1967 Classic Mustang. He was a Jack-of-all-trades and a master of many. He lived life to the fullest, with no fear, and was full of fun.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Paul Graham, and the couples that had great a influence on him, Aunt Carol and Uncle Tom Nelson and Raymond “Doc” and Esther Wisdom.
Leroy is survived by his wife, Mary Helen, two sons; Matthew Graham and spouse, Megan, and Chad Van Winkle, two daughters; Dana Crisp and spouse, Lane, and Hannah Durborow and spouse, Angie, two brothers; Larry Graham and spouse, Mary, and Donald Graham, two sisters; Linda Batson and spouse, Bud, and Dena (Goff) Smith and spouse, Duane, seven grandchildren; Jaden, Gabriella, Elijah, Trenton, Jenna, Tyler and Sean, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins great and beyond.
Those gentlemen honoring his life by serving as pallbearers are; Matthew Graham, Chad Van Winkle, Lane Crisp, Elijah Williams, Timothy Graham, and Brandon Brake.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 20, 2015 at the Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home with John Pigg pastor officiating. Entombment with full military honors will follow at the Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends at 1:00 p.m. prior to the service.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, for contributions be made to the Wounded Warrior Project in care of the Funeral Home.
Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Hedge-Lewis-Goodwin Funeral Home, Webb City, Missouri.
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