John William Graham was born Mother’s Day, May 14, 1940 to Burnice and Bill Graham at home in Clinton, Missouri. He passed away peacefully on the evening of Friday, February 17, 2023 at the age of 82.
He attended school at Appleton City, Mo., later attending Clinton High School, graduating in 1958. He married Jean Kelsey on May 27, 1962 in Clinton, Mo., and she survives of the home.
John was employed with Missouri Public Service Company in Warrensburg, Mo., from 1959 to 1963 as a lineman. He attended the University of Central Missouri and Southeast Missouri State University, majoring in Industrial Arts. His training enabled him to become a journeyman electrician for Electric Supply Company in Cape Girardeau, Mo., and general foreman of Aschinger Electric Company in St. Louis, Mo. He was a member of the International Brothers of Electrical Workers.
He was Master Counselor of Demolay in Clinton, and a member of the Masonic Lodge in Cape Girardeau, Mo. He served as President of Men’s Club, Chairman of Trustees, Sunday School teacher and youth leader with Grace Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau and Jackson, Mo., where John and Jean lived for 50 years.
John and Jean returned to their hometown, Clinton, in 2013 where he joined the Elks Lodge, Meadowlake Country Club and Clinton United Methodist Church.
He is an Eagle Scout, a member of Tribe of Mic-O-Say and Order of the Arrow, and very proud that his family and extended family is made up of 13 Eagle Scouts. He enjoyed assisting with Troop 311 in Jackson as his son, Jeff, also earned this honor.
He loved to fish and float, spending many good times with friends and family on Missouri’s rivers. He is known for his sense of humor and delight in designing gag gifts for grandchildren, nieces and nephews at Christmas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Burnice (Huey) Graham, one sister, Judy Carolyn Graham, and one brother, Tom Graham.
In addition to his wife Jean, surviving are one daughter, Janelle (Graham) Sachse (Nick), Huntsville, Alabama; one son, Jeffrey William Graham (Rhonda Farver), O’Fallon, Mo.; four grandchildren, Danielle Graham, Kelsey (Sachse) Friend, Shanen Graham-Deline and Caleb Graham Sachse; five great-grandchildren, Addy McCarthy, Peyton Curry, Liam Friend, Leo Deline and Madelynne Friend; one sister, Mary Alice (Graham) Braun (Harding); and sister-in-law, Virginia Graham.
He was delighted with these children and anytime there was a family function he left the adults and went outside to play with the children.
Memorial services will be scheduled for later this spring under the direction of the Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home, Clinton. Condolences may be left online at www.bradleyhadley.com
