Randy and Michele Graham

(From Parker Mortuary)

Randall Wayne Graham, February 26, 1950 to September 18, 2023

Michele Roe Graham June 21, 1951 to August 5, 2023

My dad tells the story of the day he first met my mom. He and his buddy were coming off the baseball field after a game and he looked up in the stands and saw mom sitting there with her best friend Jane. He said my mom was beautiful and it was her blue eyes that caught his attention first. Mom was thirteen and he was a year older. She asked him about his bloody knee from sliding into the base and the rest is history. 

From that day on they became inseparable. They got married June 6, 1969. They spent the next five years traveling, one adventure after the next, even living in a van with their two dogs for five months. They were two young hippies in love watching their friends play in rock and roll bands and taking in the countryside. They experienced more in those five years than most in a lifetime. 

Eventually they settled down (somewhat)and they had me their daughter, Regan. From then on it was three of us. We moved to a little rock house right on Mike's Creek in Powell, Missouri and it was there that we enjoyed camping with family and friends. We had a simple life, but it was just another adventure for my parents. 

Together mom and dad spent fifty-three years golfing some of the area’s best courses, traveling the country taking in many sites and hiking the mountains of Colorado. They have floated many rivers over the years but the Buffalo River always had their heart so that is where they will be laid to rest together. Their life was never about perfection, but it was a beautiful, good, happy life and they absolutely had no regrets about how they lived it.

Until we float again Mom and Dad,

Regan

Memorial visitation for Randy and Michele (Roe) Graham, of Joplin, will be held on Friday, September 22, 2023 beginning at 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Parker Mortuary in Joplin.

Service arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin.

***

Randall Wayne Graham passed away Monday, September 18th, peacefully in his home surrounded by those who loved him. He was born February 26, 1950, to Walter and Melba Graham. He attended Memorial High School in Joplin where he decided graduation wasn't his plan, so he bought a 1967 GTO and went to work for his dad at RGS Engineering. Randy went on to get his GED and even took some college courses later in life and was very proud of that accomplishment.

Randy married the "belle of the ball" and his best friend, Michele, on June 6, 1969. Fifty three years together wasn't long enough for them so forty four days after Michele's passing Randy followed her to heaven. Together they loved the outdoors and being in nature, golfing, hiking, camping and floating the rivers were some of their very best memories.

Randy was a brilliant machinist and had worked in many machine shops in the area. He began his career at RGS Engineering, for a short time owned Chief Machine in Pea Ridge Arkansas and retired from Midwest Tool. He gained many friends over the years through work.

He was preceded in death by his wife Michele Graham, and his brother Steve Graham. Randy is survived by his daughter Regan Seward (Russ), grandchildren Bailey Tormey (Zach), Mace Seward (Hannah Burdick) and Cole Seward. Two great-grandchildren Charlotte and Bo Tormey. He is also survived by his two very best life long friends who were brothers to him since grade school, David Boyd and Charlie Grey. The three of them celebrated life together reminiscing often about their mischievous younger days.

My dad was a captivating storyteller to anyone who would listen. He was humble and the most patient man I have ever known. He was kind and compassionate and never took life too seriously. I will forever be grateful for my time here on earth with my parents, and I know without a doubt they are together once again where they belong.

"Rest easy on the Buffalo together forever mom and dad"

Michele Graham Obituary