James Theodore Graham, 89, of New Boston, TX was granted his heavenly reward on 9 December 2024. At home with his bride of 61 years, he slipped away quietly into eternity. He was born in the Red Bayou Community at his grandmother’s home on 23 May 1935. He was the only son of Theo and Bessie Kestler Graham.
He graduated from New Boston High School in 1953, and left for the A&M College of Texas where he would graduate in 1957 with a Mechanical Engineering Degree.
Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force upon graduation, he would earn his certification as a meteorologist from Oklahoma A&M University while serving at Tinker Air Force Base in Enid, OK.
When he departed the Air Force as a Captain in 1960, he spent time In Pennsylvania with the Frick Corporation before coming back to Houston and meeting his wife, Beverly. They would return to New Boston on 1 April 1966 as she took a job with Red River Army Depot and he, to start his own business, Graham’s Appliance Co. What started out as an appliance sales business, quickly turned to an HVAC service company, and he would service the surrounding area for 30 years. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to invest in numerous businesses in town, ranging from Triple T Food Mart, Taco Delite, I-30 Storage, Vantage Apartments, and Aspen Apartments. He divested his appliance business in 1993, using the funds to purchase New Boston Concrete from the James Duffer family. He invested his business acumen and years of experience into this new endeavor with the exuberance of a much younger man. With the help of his family and many capable employees, the company has expanded into the Texarkana market as well as the Caddo Mills area. Yet as successful as his enterprises have been, the legacy that he leaves behind is the trail of men who have gone into business for themselves and continue to provide for their families with life lessons learned as employees of his companies and from his leadership. He invested heavily in the human resources of New Boston, leading Boy Scout Troop 36 for many years with his dear friend Les Hosman. He passed on his love of outdoor adventures as he took groups of young men to the mountains of Colorado to ski, to Cimmaron, New Mexico to hike and camp at Philmont Scout Ranch, to Mena, AR for Camp Pioneer and the Rich Mountain Hike, and even in the cold, dreary months of March to Lake Millwood to fish. In his twilight years, he found a new passion as a gentleman farmer, tending to the Williams Bend property on the Red River. He raised cattle, cut timber, harvested pecans, and spent his days enjoying God’s creation.
His family’s involvement at Tapp Methodist Church is now into its fourth generation. As a member of the Upper Room Sunday School Class, he has been a teacher, a participant, and a benefactor of many special relationships. His success in his earthly life is a direct reflection of his faith in God and dedication to His commands, decrees, and laws.
He is preceded in death by his parents, one sister-in-law Sandra Gross Hamby and her husband Ronald Otis Hamby. He is survived by his wife Beverly and their three sons, Tim and Christina Graham of New Boston, Todd and Shanna Graham of Rockwall, and Terry and Amanda Graham of New Boston. Grandchildren, Shelby Graham of Dallas, Tyler Graham of Lake Tawakoni, Jaxson Allen of Fayetteville, AR, Travis Graham of Dallas, Trent Graham of College Station, and Ella Graham of Fayetteville, AR. Two nephews, Curtis Wilson and Shannon Hamby of Victor, ID, Lane Mitchell Hamby of Flatonia, and a niece Allison Hamby Allen of Waco and their children, Cadence, Georgia Grace, and Hudson Hamby, Lydia and Toby Allen. Funeral Services will be held at Tapp Methodist Church on Sunday December 15, 2024 at 5:00 pm with Pastor Tommy Earl Burton and Pastor David Goodwin officiating. Visitation for the family will be held before the service and will begin at 4:00 pm. Jim will be laid to rest at Red Bayou Cemetery in a private family ceremony. Memorial donations can be made to the building fund of Tapp Methodist Church.
Online memorials may be made at www.batesrolffuneralhome. com
