Robert LeRoy Graham

Age 83, of Haslett, MI, and Bradenton, FL, passed away March 12, 2020 in FL.  He was born January 13, 1937, in Lansing, MI, to Charles William and Gertrude (Davis) Graham.

A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held on Saturday, November 13, 2021, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Woodhull Township Hall, 7315 W. Beard Rd., Shaftsburg, MI.

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Janet; brother: Charles W. (Kathy) Graham Jr.; children: David Graham, Kevin (Wanda) Graham, and LeAnne Graham; grandchildren: Jason (Jenna) Graham, Michael Flagg (Sharayah), Nicole (Tom) Lee, Joshua (Cassie) Flagg, Brittni Brewster, and Brooke Graham; great-grandchildren: Mason, Aubrey, Ava, Hayleigh, Sophiyah, Zakai, Colton, Jase, and Kira; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and many other extended family members.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Charles W. and Gertrude, and sister Bette Voketz.

At a young age, Bob had a paper route and delivered riding his bicycle.  He worked as a teenager for a local Densteads grocery store. For a high school project, he designed and helped implement a home for his parents where they retired. During his time at Everett High, Robert played football and his team was undefeated earning the title of Capitol Circuit Class B State Champions, honored into the induction at the Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame, graduating in the class of 1955, and then attending some college at LCC. He was the manager at Tom McCann Shoe store in Lansing and helped Detroit location, then worked his way to Manager at Paramount New Store staying in Lansing. He was a member of the Capital City Civitan Club. His journey continued to working at the City of Lansing as a building inspector until retirement. Upon getting into too much mischief, he was hired at Meridian Township in the same line of work until retirement there in 1997.

Bob was involved in many group activities including golfing and admiring the lifelong love of Scouting. He was a scout in his younger years, Adult Leader for his 2 sons in Woodhull Township, then helping out as the Honorary Old Goat Adult Leader for his 2 grandsons in Tall Pine Council helping out with Pack 240 and Troop 85.

He was a member and Chapter President Officer in the Good Sam Camping Club of MI & FL for many years. Upon exploring his genealogy, his great-grandfather was active in the Civil War, inspiring him to obtain the complete uniform and attending re-enactments. He enthusiastically wrote a fascinating article “The Life and Times of William J. Graham.” Genealogy also led him to his next passion, as he was a direct descendant of Scottish Heritage, leading him to joining as a member-participant of the Clan Graham Society. Many years he provided everything for the Clan Graham exhibition tent at the Highland Games, enjoying and teaching his knowledge all over MI, AL, and FL, even traveling to Scotland in 2005, the place of his historical homeland.

Robert had years of piano lessons, enjoyed playing his harmonica every chance he could, and singing in the choir as bass in MI and FL churches. Hunting was another passion at an early age for small game and deer that lasted as long as he could.

Bob’s constant love was that of fishing! MI, Canada, AL, FL and any other place of water challenging him to see what was in that region of the underwater world.

If that wasn’t enough, Bob loved classic cars, starting in high school driving a big  ol’1953 Packard. That inspiration found him owning a couple of 1963 Chevy Corvairs, including a convertible that he loved to take rides with many and attend car shows with it.

His love of architecture lead him to designing and having a lot of help building his dream home of a geodesic dome home in northern MI. He, his family, and friends has created and maintained a multitude of memories to be cherished in his memory forever!

Arrangements are by the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.

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This poem was found after his passing, he wanted it read at his funeral and would love to share with you all:

What Heaven is to me!

When I think of Heaven, as quite often I do, I might not think of things that most people do…like Jasper walls and gates of pearl, so beautiful to behold…mansions standing everywhere…on streets of solid gold.  No, that’s not what appeals to me or fills my heart with bliss, why, I never had enough of that to get me spoiled I guess.  The human mind can’t comprehend…the beauty there is to see!  But this, my friend, is really…what Heaven means to me:

It’s a place where all night will have passed away, and the ages of time will be just one long…beautiful day.

The weather will be perfect and the food will be fine. We won’t have to hurry…cause there’ll be no more time…and up there in Heaven we won’t ever cry.  They’ll be no bills to pay and nothing to buy.  There’ll be no more sorrow, and not one little bit of sin, and the sting of death, thank God, will never be felt again.

Another thing to me that will make Heaven so fair, is that my mom and my dad, I know will be there…and looking so young and fair to see, not old and wrinkled like they used to be.  I want to kiss mom and hear her whisper in my ear:  “I’ve been waiting for you son, and I’m so glad you’re here!!” And my dad will say: “Boy,…there won’t be any more tears!”… and we’ll set down and just talk for maybe a hundred years.

Now just try to imagine the thrill if you can, of seeing all the old saints and getting to shake their hands, and hearing their stories of things they’ve done…and maybe live next door to Peter, James, or John.

Oh, it’ll be wonderful when we make it through, to that wonderful land that He’s made for me and you.

But all that I’ve said, can’t even compare…to the main thrill that awaits us when we get up there, and that’s TO SEE JESUS, the one who died for me…and to live in His presence…throughout all eternity.

I’ll just sing on forever…without a worry or care!

Now…that’s WHAT HEAVEN IS TO ME, and I hope to meet you there!

 

God Bless you Robert LeRoy Graham…until we meet again!!