James Hugh Graham 1923 - 2007

ROGERS, GRAHAM, OSTMEYER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/15/2017 at 14:59:00

Sioux City Journal
28 December 2007

DAKOTA CITY -- James Hugh Graham, 84, of rural Dakota City died Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007, at a Lexington, Neb., hospital. Each of us must release the hand of one we love into God's hand.

Services will be 10 a.m. Monday at Salem Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Graceland Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Becker-Hunt Funeral Home.

Jim's hand was taken by parents, Roy and Mildred (Rogers) Graham on Jan. 22, 1923, and released on Tuesday, Dec. 26. He graduated from Dakota City High School and entered the University of Nebraska. His college education was interrupted by World War II, where he served in the southwest Pacific as a P-38 pilot who photographed Japanese placements on many islands. He returned from the war to take the hand of family with integrity and love as he farmed and served his community.

He was a member of Salem Lutheran Church and actively led the Dakota City and South Sioux City School boards, the Dakota City/Dakota Covington Rural Fire boards, where he helped establish the county wide 911 system. He served on the county/city law enforcement board, the board of Adjustments and Farmer's Co-op board. He was a lifelong Husker fan.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years, Mary (Ostmeyer) Graham; children, Carol (Bill) Fleming, Barb (Dick Hollinger) Graham, Randy (Kathy) Graham, Ron (Pat) Graham and Kathy (Bruce) Poole; a sister, Marilyn Ebbert; grandchildren who accepted grandpa's hand of love, Kerry and Kyle Fleming, Jeff (Megan), Dan (Amy) and Andy Graham, Mike, Colleen and Kristine Graham and Graham Poole; and great-grandchildren, Eric, Emma and Thomas Graham.

The family suggests memorials to Salem Lutheran Church and the South Sioux City Cardinal Education Foundation.