Donald Ray Graham, 62 of Gainesville passed away peacefully Sunday July 21st at the E.T. York Hospice Care Center after battling kidney cancer.
He was born in Shreveport, Louisiana and grew up in eastern Oklahoma. After high school graduation, he joined the United States Air Force where he served 4 years. He then made Gainesville his home where he graduated from Santa Fe Community College and the University of Florida. He spent most of his life as an active member of the Gator Nation, dedicating many years of service to NFETC, Tacahale and Lancaster Correctional Institution. Don spent the last 11 years at Lancaster where he was a special education teacher. He retired in December of 2011.
During his time here, Don was most proud of his beautiful daughter and his loving family. He enjoyed golf, was an avid poker player and spending time with loved ones including his two beagles, Beau and Raleigh. Don had a real knack with computers and enjoyed photography. He took and awesome photo of the Hale-Bopp comet that was published in the Gainesville Sun.
He was preceded in death by his brother Travis D. Graham of Memphis, TN and both his parents Margaret L. Graham mother, and T.V. Graham father, both of Muskogee OK.
He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Graham of Gainesville, daughter Rachael Graham of Coconut Creek and two sisters; Denise (Buddy) Southerland and Debbie (Doug) Thompson both of Oklahoma, and one sister-in-law Becky Graham of Memphis, TN.
Funeral Service will be held Wednesday July 24, 2013 at 2:30 P.M. at the Chapel in the Meadows, Forest Meadows Memorial Park and Cemetery, 4100 NW 39th Avenue, Gainesville, FL. A visitation will begin at 2:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Haven Hospice.
