Ken Graham

A Celebration of Life memorial service for Kenny Graham, 81, of Decatur, Texas will be 1:00 pm Saturday, January 30, 2021 at the Father’s House Church in Decatur, officiated by Pastor Kevin Casey. Kenny passed away Wednesday, January 20 in Penrose, Colorado.

Ken was born July 7, 1939 in Gunnison, Colorado, one of ten children born to Frank and Gertrude (Andrews) Graham.

He retired as a heavy equipment operator, and his skill level and attention to detail made it a job in which he truly excelled.

He was also gifted at carpentry. He built one home from the ground up, and moved a second one to his retirement location and added onto it.

But his passion was going camping in the mountains of Colorado with friends, taking trail bikes to scout out the old logging trails and ghost towns.

Kenny loved his bluegrass and gospel music, teaching his kids to sing and harmonize at a very young age. He taught his son, Kenny Jr. the guitar and mandolin. Ken came by the talent naturally since his whole family was musically talented, both in singing and playing instruments. In fact, the music played at his service will be provided by Ken himself thru a recording made years ago.

Kenny had a marvelous sense of humor and he found humor in much of life. His easygoing nature drew people to him, and that trait caused him to make friends easily.

He was a faithful member of the Father’s House Church, and could be counted on to not only attend various functions at the church, but also to help out. And if there was a meal planned, Kenny would often bring a side dish, and if other attendees were lucky, that side dish would be his famous dessert, Frog Eye Salad. Nobody made this luscious coconut, whipped cream and fruit dish better than Kenny.

Ken held many careers over his life, but one that stuck out in particular was his time spent working on an avocado farm in California. Driving the farm tractor between the rows over the fallen fruit and seeing the green contents squish out from under the tractor wheels over and over, sort of paving the rows in a somewhat nauseating green goo, left Kenny with an adverse opinion of avocados that would stay with him for the rest of his life.

Having spent several months in Colorado prior to his passing, whenever friends or family called his response was he was "working". He was faithful in his Bible reading and memorization of Scripture. He loved to watch the Christian channels and listen to the old gospel quartets.

Ken is survived by son Kenny Graham, Jr.; daughter Shannon Graham; stepsons Jorel and Randy; siblings Bill, ‘Bud’, Edgar, and Jim Graham; grandchildren Haley, Rachel, Shelby and Gabe; and numerous other family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, second wife Barbara Graham, and six siblings.

© (Hudson & Torres Family Funeral Home)

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