Hugh H Graham Jr

Hugh H Graham Jr

Waugh Halley Wood Funeral Home

February 8, 2023

Hugh H. Graham, Jr., age 85, passed away February 8, 2023 surrounded by family at Holzer Medical Center following complications from COVID pneumonia. He was born October 4, 1937 in a small house on Benfield Avenue in Columbus, Ohio. He was the fifth of eight children born to the late Hugh and Noreen Nina (Paynter) Graham. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters Agnes (Richard) Lease, Charlotte (Charles) Anthony, Sue (Fred) Fillinger and an infant sister, Dorothy Alice. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 63 years Shirley A. (Vaught) Graham, whom he married on February 19, 1960. Together they had two children, Kelly A. (Michael) Baroch of Fairfield OH and Hugh H. (Bumper) (Jenny) Graham, III of Gallipolis, OH. His two grandchildren Maclaren Raye Baroch of Lexington, KY and Hugh H. (Hobie) Graham, IV of Gallipolis OH were his pride and joy. He is survived by his sisters, Margaret Heltzel of Princeton WV, Eva Jane Carry of Sebastian FL, and his brother Anderson (Juanita) Graham of Wellston OH, a sister-in law Leahanna (James) Allen and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Hugh attended Reeb Avenue School in Columbus, OH and then a one room school house in Ambrosia, WV. He graduated from Pt. Pleasant High School Class of 1955 and immediately enlisted in the U. S. Army. He served as a dental lab technician for three years, serving 21 months in the U.S. and 15 months in France. He was honorably discharged in 1958 and returned to his parents’ home in Gallipolis, OH.
He attended the Ohio State University and Rio Grande College. He worked for a short period at Holzer Hospital as an x-ray technician, followed by seven years for Columbus and Southern Ohio Electric. He went to work for the Gallipolis Savings and Loan Company from 1969 to 1991 serving as managing officer, Secretary Treasurer, and Director. During that time, he also taught Real Estate Finance at Rio Grande Community College. From 1991 to 2003, he was employed by the Ohio Valley Bank and held several management positions retiring on January 31, 2003 as Vice President of the Super Bank Division. After retiring, he was employed by Enterprise Rent-A-Car for eight years as a driver as well as a driver for the Gallia County Veterans Services for four years.

In the community, Hugh served as Gallipolis City Commissioner, member of the Community Improvement Corporation, Board of Directors of the Gallipolis Area Chamber of Commerce, President of the Gallia Academy High School Band Boosters, Charter Member of the Gallipolis Area Jaycees, Charter Member of Faith Baptist Church where he served as deacon, choir director, orchestra director, Sunday School superintendent, and Financial Secretary. In addition, he managed Little League baseball and umpired baseball and softball for 55 years.
Hugh loved vacations with family and friends, sharing stories with his kids and grandkids, instrumental music, watching college football, singing barbershop quartet, reading World War II and Civil War literature, political debate, and holding hands with his wife Shirley. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.

Funeral services will be 2:00pm Saturday, February 18, 2023 at the Waugh-Halley Wood Funeral Home with Pastor Jim Lusher officiating. Burial will follow in Mound Hill Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday from 12:00 – 2:00 PM. Military Funeral Honors will be conducted at the cemetery by VFW #4464 Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be: Michael Baroch, Anderson Graham, Bumper Graham, Hobie Graham, Gene Huffman, and Ron Price. Honorary Pallbearers: Brian Carter, Robert Wayne Fellure, Phil Miller, Lester Plymale, and Jim Roush.

Friends and family are invited to join for a celebration of life at The Ariel Theater immediately following the burial.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Gallia County Veterans Association, Faith Baptist Church, or charity of your choice.