Obituary of James B. Graham
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Dr. James B. Graham, Sr. 88 of Boone passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday evening, May 10, 2018.
Born in Todd on March 11, 1930, to the late David Worth Graham and Ethel Stanberry Graham, Dr. Graham attended Appalachian High School and Appalachian State Teachers College where he graduated with a BS and MS in Biology. After college, he began teaching high school Science at East Mecklenburg High School until being drafted into the Army where he served in the Counter Intelligence Corps. After leaving the Army, he applied to work with the Navy, which took him to Norfolk then Richmond Virginia, and it is there he decided to pursue Dentistry at the Medical College of Virginia.
Dr. Graham first opened his dental practice in Sparta in 1960. He moved his office to Boone in 1962 and practiced until his retirement in 2000.
Dr. Graham was a 32nd Degree Mason, served as past master of Snow Lodge #363, a member of the Scottish Rite, and a Shriner with the Oasis Temple in Charlotte. He was also a member of the American Legion Gun Corps.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Mary Austin Graham; two brothers, L.D. Graham, and John Graham, and two sisters, Jewel Graham Church, and Violet Graham Sams.
He is survived by his two sons, Dr. James B. Graham, Jr. and wife Karen of Blowing Rock, and Geoffrey Graham and wife Kathy of Boone; his two grandsons, Austin Robert Graham, and Alan James Graham. He is also survived by his sister, Ila Graham Stallings, sister-in-law, Martha Haas, brother and sister-in-law Bob and Minnie Snead, and brother and sister-in-law Bill and Peggy Austin. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
The funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday, May 15 at Boone United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jeff McClain officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 PM prior to the service. Entombment will follow at Mt. Lawn Cemetery. Military rites will be provided by American Legion Post 130 and Disabled American Veterans Post 90, and Masonic rites by Snow Lodge #363.
The family requests memorials be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children in care of Randy Vines, 1005 George Wilson Road, Boone, NC 28607. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Graham family.