John William Graham was born Mother’s Day, May 12, 1940, to Burnice Irene (Huey) and William “Bill” Frederick Graham at home in Clinton, Missouri. He passed away peacefully on the evening of Friday, February 17, 2023, at the age of 82 with family by his side. He is survived by his wife Jean Louise Kelsey. They were wed on May 27, 1962, at Clinton United Methodist Church in Clinton, MO.
He attended school at Appleton City, MO, for one year. Upon moving back to Clinton, MO he attended Jefferson Elementary then Clinton High School, graduating in 1958. He worked at his parent’s jewelry store after school but was able to make time for other activities and was Master Counselor of Demolay in Clinton, MO.
John was an Eagle Scout, a member of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say and Order of the Arrow (while a Troop leader in the 1980’s). He was very proud that his family and extended family is made up of 9 Eagle Scouts. He enjoyed assisting with Troop 311 in Jackson as his son, Jeff, also earned this honor.
John was employed with Missouri Public Service Company in Warrensburg, MO from 1959 to 1963 as a lineman. He attended the University of Central Missouri and Southeast Missouri State University, majoring in Industrial Arts. His training enabled him to become a journeyman electrician, draftsman and general foreman for Electric Supply Company in Cape Girardeau, MO, and the last few years of his career a general foreman for Aschinger Electric Company in St. Louis, MO. He retired in 2002 and was a member of the International Brothers of Electrical Workers for 46 years.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Cape Girardeau, MO. He served as President of Men’s Club, Chairman of Trustees, Sunday school teacher and youth leader with Grace United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau, MO. Upon moving to Jackson, MO, he joined New McKendree United Methodist Church and served as a Sunday school teacher and youth leader. John and Jean spent 50 of their 60 years of marriage in Southeast Missouri working, playing, raising their children and giving back to the community.
They returned to their hometown, Clinton, in 2013 where John joined Clinton United Methodist Church, the Meadowlake Country Club and the Elks Lodge. He looked forward to Sunday School, Monday breakfast with the guys and Thursday Tacos with friends at the Elks.
He loved to fish, camp, float, and travel, spending many good times with friends and family on Missouri’s rivers and in many places in the US and abroad. He was known for his sense of humor and enjoyed playing pranks on family and friends and designing gag gifts for grandchildren, nieces, and nephews at Christmas. He was delighted with these children and anytime there was a gathering he left the adults and went outside to play with them. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren remember him as Mr. Fix It, the founder of the definition of Class Clown, Santa Claus, and the voice of Donald Duck. He was not someone you wanted to make a bet with, but instead make a deal. He would carry on jokes for YEARS. Teasing was a skill set. Nothing was too small a deal to celebrate with ice cream. Basketball or westerns were always on the tv. Most things were tools, not toys, although there wasn’t much he wouldn’t let us do. If you were in trouble though, a thump on the head with his fat thumb would set you straight. He would always ask his girls, “What makes you beautiful?” and on cue, even as toddlers, they would SMILE.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William “Bill” Frederick and Burnice Irene (Huey) Graham, one sister, Judy Carolyn Graham, and one brother, Thomas “Tom” Lee Graham.
In addition to his wife Jean, surviving are one daughter, Janelle “Jan” Lynne (Graham) (Nick) Sachse, Gurley, AL; one son, Jeffrey “Jeff” William (Rhonda Farver) Graham, Dardenne Prairie, MO; four grandchildren, Danielle Graham, Kelsey (Sachse) (Jonathan) Friend, Shanen (Dylin) Graham-Deline and Caleb Graham Sachse; five great-grandchildren, Addy McCarthy, Peyton Curry, Leo Deline and Liam and Madelynne Friend; one sister, Mary Alice (Graham) (Harding) Braun; and one sister-in-law, Virginia Lee (Newman) Graham and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visitation and Celebration of Life are scheduled for Friday, May 12 at 3 and 4 pm respectively at Clinton United Methodist Church, Clinton, Missouri under the direction of the Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the following.
Henry County Memory Fund, PO Box 741, Clinton, MO 64735
Boy Scout Troop #311, 3113 Mimosa Street, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Boy Scout Troop #430, PO Box 430, Clinton, MO 64735
Boy Scout Troop #225, Payable to Scouting Unlimited, Inc., 331 N. Washington, Clinton, MO 64735
Condolences may be left online at http://www.bradleyhadley.com
