Richard Graham

Richard Leroy Graham passed away peacefully at his home in DeRossett on Sunday, July 26, 2026. He is reunited with his parents, Robert Graham and Mabel Yott Graham, brother David Graham, and loving wife of sixty-five years, Katherine Johnson Graham.

Mr. Graham was born in White County on November 21, 1936. On June 29, 1955, he joined the U.S. Navy, where he served in the Pacific aboard the U.S.S. Reclaimer. Mr. Graham often recounted the story of the rescue of the Chinese Nationalist ship the Yung Feng after a typhoon in 1959. The sailors of the U.S.S. Reclaimer were called into action with minimal food supplies and missing officers to retrieve the grounded vessel.

Once home, Mr. Graham married Katherine Johnson on July 9, 1960. He worked a variety of jobs, including running DeRossett Market, working at a water treatment plant, and factory work. He enjoyed watching Vanderbilt sports, particularly basketball, and taking his Ford Fairlane to classic car shows. He was a long-time member of the DeRossett Church of Christ, where he taught Sunday school for many years.

Mr. Graham is survived by nieces Patricia (Ed) Bush, Julie (Joey) Brymer, Christy (Tim) Judd, and nephew Randy Johnson. He will be dearly missed by friends and family. Thurman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, with details to be determined.