Obituary for Larry Graham

Larry Ray Graham

June 9, 1937 – April 22, 2018

Larry Ray Graham, age 80, longtime resident of Ponca City, OK, passed away Sunday, April 22, 2018 at his home with his wife by his side.

A graveside memorial ceremony with U.S. Army Honors will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, April 27, 2018 at Sunset Memorial Park with Albert Plumley of First Baptist Church in Shidler officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.

Larry was born on June 9, 1937 to Charles Dean Graham and Martha Goodman Graham in Ponca City. Larry was raised in Ponca City, attending Jefferson Elementary School, East Junior High and Ponca City High School. He left high school at age 16 to join the National Guard, before transferring to the U.S. Navy, serving in the Korean Conflict, spending eighteen months overseas. After four years in the Navy, Larry joined the Army Reserves before transferring to the Army National Guard, serving over 20 years. While in the service, he was awarded various medals and was proud to serve his country. After his Naval discharge, Larry became a painter’s apprentice in Seattle, WA prior to returning home to Ponca City. Once back home, Larry was a self-employed painter for fifteen years and then joined the Ponca City Public School system and painted for the district for another 15 years before retiring. Larry loved playing music. He had a knack for picking up and learning nearly any instrument, but his primary instrument was the guitar and keyboard. Later in life, his sister’s best friend caught his eye. On her parents’ anniversary, Sept. 24, 1988, Cloene Sue Harris became his wife, thoughtfully caring for him and playing music together when they were able. Larry and Cloene spent decades traveling across the great southwestern and western United States, camping and seeing the sights until his health wouldn’t allow their travels. Larry attended Bible Baptist Church and loved the brethren in the congregation dearly.

Survivors include his beloved wife Cloene of the home; dear brother: Rick Graham; adored children: Larry Dean Graham, Lori Bernard and husband Mike, Renee Goughler and husband Rick, Lisa Cruce, Kristi Randol and husband Phillip; treasured grandchildren: Robert Riley and wife Sarah, Steven Riley and wife Leslie, Christopher Bryan and wife Julie, Shannon Richards and husband Brent, Lesli Smith and husband Tim, Jordan Cavanaugh and husband Mike, Cameron Cruce, Drew Randol and wife Kylea; great grandchildren: Emma Riley, Hope Riley, Katelyn Riley, Blaine Bryan, Baylee Richards, Logan Richards, Isabella Anguino, Miguel Anguino, Kaiden Cavanaugh, Garryn Cavanaugh, Conor Cavanaugh, Addilyn Randol, Killian Randol, Oaklynn Randol and many nieces and nephews.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, step mother Catherine, sisters and their husbands: Virginia and Dale Thompson, Lois and Herb Gates, Mary Joann Sherrill, brother Charles Dean Graham, Jr., sister in law, Novella Graham and son in law, Thomas Cruce.

Honorary Casketbearers will be: Scott McKenzie, Bret Smith, Tony Smith, Bud Sober, Clark Hayes, Kent Hayes, Bill Pruitt, Mel Knight, Bennie Warner, Jim Daniel, Jim Walker, Wray Meek, Ricky Boyd, Mark Swenson, Danny Hurd, Chris Scott, Mike Ross and Larry’s grandsons.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 445 N. Fairview Ave., Ponca City, OK 74601, The Ranch Drive Baptist Church, PO Box 1385, Ponca City, OK 74602 or Parkinson Foundation of Oklahoma, www.parkinsonoklahoma.com/donate.

Source: Trout Funeral Home