Gary Cooper Graham Sr., 86, passed away on Wednesday evening, November 15th, 2017 at Brookdale Senior Living Kingwood, in Kingwood, Texas. Gary was born in Arcadia, Florida on March 5, 1931 to Monroe David Graham and Cecil Catharine Dyess Graham.

Gary moved to Port Neches, Texas in 1936 was raised there and attended Port Neches-Groves High School. He was a very accomplished football player. In 1948 he was the toast of his hometown after scoring four touchdowns to lead his team to a 38-7 victory of their greatest rival – Nederland, Texas. He was named Jefferson County’s Most Valuable Back after the 1948 season.

After service of 4 years in the US Air Force during the Korean War he was discharged as Staff Sergeant. He then went to Pure Oil working the evening shift for four years in order to attend Lamar University. During his time at Lamar he was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1960 and joined Neches Butane’s engineering staff. He later became Manager of Engineering Services for Texaco Chemical-Port Neches, a complex that included the former Neches Butane and Jefferson Chemical facilities.

In 1976 Gary became involved in Port Neches, Texas politics and was elected to the City Council and in 1980 he became the Mayor. His favorite thing to say was, “I am not a politician, I am a Public Servant.” That is exactly what he did; he served Port Neches well for 16 years, many terms unopposed.

Gary was also a member of First Baptist Church, Port Neches. He was a Sunday School teacher there for many years as well as served in many other capacities. Gary loved the Lord with his whole heart. He lived that out daily in the community that he served as Mayor. He was able to show others who Christ was outside of the church walls as he went through his daily life in his gentle, patient way of handling whatever issue or conflict may come up.

In his free time, Gary loved to go hunting and fishing. He enjoyed being in the woods or at a lake somewhere, just being out in nature. He also loved reading and had an extensive library of old classics and western novels that he had read, and many probably more than once.

Gary had many passions – but his greatest passion was his family. He loved his family and the time he got to spend with them. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Wilma Graham, his second wife, Mary Patricia Graham, a young daughter, Riki Lin Graham, his brother Charles Graham. He is survived by two sons, Gary C. Graham, Jr., wife Lori of Round Rock, Texas, three grandchildren, Natalie Traylor, husband Todd of Round Rock Texas, Robert Graham, wife Annie of Bellingham, Washington, and Carrie Graham of Austin, Texas and 5 great grandchildren. His son Alan Graham, wife Sharon of Groves, Texas, two grandchildren Jason Graham, wife Brooke of Lumberton, Texas, and Leslie Graham of Groves, Texas and 7 great-grandchildren. Also survived by two stepchildren, William Kent Resch of Huntington Beach, California, and grandson Erin Wayne Resch, wife Kelli of Nederland, Texas and two great-grandchildren, granddaughter Riki Lynn Resch of Huntington Beach, California. Step-daughter Kaye Resch Gilmore, husband Jerry of Kingwood, Texas, two grandchildren Todd Carter Gilmore wife Angela of Littleton, Colorado, Shay Lin Slocomb, husband John of Livingston, Texas, and 4 great grandchildren.

Funeral services are with Kingwood Funeral home. Service will be held on Monday, November 20th, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. A viewing time is set up for 9:00 a.m. just prior to the funeral service at Woodridge Baptist Church, 5707 Kingwood Drive, Kingwood, Texas 77345. Phone 281-361-6800. A brief grave side service will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park, 618 Block St., Port Neches Texas at 2:00PM.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to:

American Parkinson Disease Association- apdaparkinson.org