Jimmy Charles Graham

Jimmy Charles Graham went to be with our Lord on May 30th, 2022, with his family close by.

He was proceeded in death by his parents Bill and Maggie Graham, sister Billie Jean Nelson, son William Charles Graham and son-in-law Tim Dement.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years Charlene Thompson Graham; children Tracy Dement, Shely (Jeff) Baldwin, Ashlia (Rocky) Lankford, Rowdy (Lashawn) Graham, Britt (Jill) Clay, Cooper Graham, Cheyenne Graham; 17 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren. His sisters are Annie Burk and Peggy Strother. Jimmy also had a dozen other kids who called The Graham hill "home" over the years.

Jimmy was born Sept 3, 1945, in Caro and raised in Nacogdoches County. He grew up as a cowboy around surrounding farms and ranches, and as a muleskinner in the east Texas forest until the age of 19. He began a 30-year career as a brick mason. During this time, he practiced his master craft to complete large projects like the Texas A & M Belltower, dormitory and education buildings on the SFA campus, Rusk Jr High, TDCJ Hodge Unit, and numerous other landmarks. He also cut pulpwood, shoed horses, butchered/ operated a meat market, and other trade jobs that inspired his kids to work just as hard in other fields.

On January 6, 1966, he married Mary Charlene Thompson. They began a lifelong journey together raising kids, going to rodeos, and trading horses and cattle on Graham Hill outside of Rusk. He and Charlene raised their kids (and countless others) in rodeos, driving thousands of miles to hundreds of youth and High School rodeos. Those were great times that planted roots and values in all his kids. His legacy will live through the many East Texans that spent time on Graham Hill learning about the good life, hard times, and family love at the arena or the kitchen table. He loved his family with all his heart.

A memorial service is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at the Wallace-Thompson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Brad Turlington officiating. There will be no visitation.