Mr. Thomas Andrew Graham

Mr. Thomas Andrew Graham of Mt. Airy, beloved husband of Margaret Priddy Graham, passed away from complications after surgery due to infection on Tuesday, November 24 at the VA Hospice Home in Salisbury, NC with his family by his side. Mr. Graham was born April 25, 1944 in Hiwassee, VA to Layman Lee and Frieda Quesenberry Graham. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Michelle Graham and fiance Chad Vance of Kitchener/Waterloo, ON Canada, son Shayne Graham and wife Kelly of Houston Texas, grandaughter Annika Boehringer, step granddaughter Kalaina Hargraves, stepdaughter Lisa and husband Carlos Raya of Monroe, NC, stepdaughter Melanie and husband John Weaver of Granite Quarry-Salisbury, NC, stepson Neil and wife Elizabeth Atkins of Mt. Airy, NC, stepgrandchildren, Abby and husband Ted Poulos of Advance, NC, Ellie Atkins, Sydney Atkins, and Cade Atkins of Mt. Airy, NC, sister Susan and husband Jerry Adcock of Moneta, VA, brother Lee and wife Rebecca Graham of Hartsville, SC, brother Richard and wife Karen, of Hiwassee, VA, sister-in-law Mary (Mike) Midkiff of Mt. Airy, NC, sister-in-law Sandy Graham of Pulaski, VA, nieces Cindy (Billy) Smith, Jill (Wes) Jolly, Amy (Todd) Pilcher, nephews Andy Edwards, Chris (Tracey) Adcock, Garrett Graham and Chad (Sandra) Graham, mother of his children Jamie Fortier of Fairlawn, VA, and 11 great nephews and 4 great nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister Beth Edwards. Mr. Graham was a member of Flat Rock Presbyterian Church in Mt. Airy, NC. He truly loved his church and his church family. He was a 1962 graduate of Dublin High School, and attended Virginia Tech University for two years in the architecture program before enlisting in the US Army. He entered active duty in May 1966 before arriving in Vietnam in March of 1967. He received the Army Commendation Medal while serving with the 46th Engineer Battalion near Long Binh, Vietnam. He was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his tireless round the clock gallantry before and during the TET Offensive. After returning from the service, he was certified in VA as an architect and was responsible for the design of a large portion of commercial buildings, churches and homes in Southwest Virginia until his retirement in 2012. Tom loved his family passionately from the days of playing with his brothers, sisters and friends in Max Creek and the mountains around his home, to the pride and happiness he experienced teaching his children to work hard, excel in sports and become honest and productive adults. His tireless efforts to make sure his children were the best they could be at anything they wanted to do, and to never give up at anything we started. He moved from the mountains to the foothills when he married his best friend and they built a life of sharing families, sports, music, dancing and making new friends. During the weeks before his death, he told us many times that we will never, ever, ever know how much he loves us. His generosity knew no limits (It's only money and I have money I haven't spent yet) and he loved making people laugh, usually at his own expense. We will always treasure his humor, sarcasm, famous sayings and crazy antics. He will remain in our hearts forever. Yee haw! A memorial service will be held Friday, November 27, 2015 at 2pm at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Dobson with services conducted by Wilborn Rives, Pastor of Flat Rock Presbyterian Church. Full military rites will be held immediately following the service at Skyline Memory Gardens conducted by the VFW Memorial Honor Guard, Mt. Airy Post #2019 and Pilot Mtn Post #9436. Special thanks to all the medical staff, nurses and volunteers at Salem VA Medical Center, and the W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center Hospice in Salisbury, NC. He received the best possible care and the support for the family during his stay was exceptional. The family requests memorial donations be made to Flat Rock Presbyterian Church, PO Box 884, Mt. Airy, NC, 27030 or the hospice organization of your choice.

Memorial Service