1942

jgraham@oneworkplace.com

Gerald Richard “Gerry” Graham ’42 passed away with his family at his side at his home in Saratoga, California, on January 29, 2017. The son of Stephen and Irene Graham of Sacramento, he was born on October 27, 1920. When he was one year old, the family moved to Oakland, California, where his father opened an automotive repair shop. He spent his first three years of high school at Oakland High School, then moved to Santa Clara to live with his aunt, where he graduated from Bellarmine College Prep. He was a great baseball player and earned a baseball scholarship from Santa Clara University. He played two seasons on the varsity baseball team. Nephew of Charles “Charlie” Graham and cousin of Fran Smith, S.J. ’56, Gerry graduated from Santa Clara University in 1942 with a bachelor of science in accounting. He attended Midshipman’s School at Columbia University in New York where he earned his commission as an ensign in the Navy. During World War II, he served two and a half years on destroyers in the Pacific. After the war, Gerry joined C.E. Reed Road Oil Company in San Jose. Through hard work and dedicated service, he formed a partnership with his Father-in-law Charles “Ted” Reed, and they incorporated as Reed & Graham in 1955. Gerry became President of Reed & Graham, Inc. in 1972 and led the company as it participated in the building of Silicon Valley. Through active involvement in many organizations in the Santa Clara Valley, he was a founder and member of the Board of Directors of Bank of Santa Clara, President of the Board of Fellows of Santa Clara University, President of the Board of Directors of Santa Clara Valley Youth Village, President of the Serra Club of San Jose, and President of the Board of Directors of Bellarmine College Preparatory Foundation. Gerry also served on the Board of St. Elizabeth’s Day Home and as a Board member of La Rinconada Country Club. Gerry was honored by the Catholic Church when he was selected to become a member of the Knights of Malta, a Roman Catholic lay religious order. Together, Gerry and his wife Allene loved travelling the United States and Europe for golf and their time in Palm Desert playing the game. Gerry was respected and cherished by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. His love, honesty, and perseverance toward the greater good of others will persist to eternity. He lived with magnificent gratitude, humility, and grace until his very last breath. After a long illness and the death of his loving wife, Jane, he was blessed to have been introduced to Allene, his loving wife of 50 years. Preceded in death by his youngest son, Steven Reed Graham, he is survived by Allene, children Gerry R. Graham, Jr. (Paula), Nan Marie Graham (Carol), Jane Ann Graham ’79, and Timmy Ann Lumby (Butch). He will be deeply missed by his 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

08 Nov 2018