Ron Graham

August 18, 1949 - March 31, 2018

Ronald Ray Graham was born August 18, 1949 in Bloomington, Illinois. He passed away, March 31, 2018 at his home in Sunrise Beach, Missouri. He was the youngest son of Harold E. Graham and Mary Lucille (Brady) Graham. He worked for Cummins Diesel and Central Illinois Trucks in Normal, Illinois as a diesel technician for over fifteen years. He then decided to buy his own semi and drive over-the-road. After relocating his family to Lake of the Ozarks in 1997, he was a crane operator for Rush Dock and Crane and Westfork Construction. He also worked at Franky and Louie’s and Deer Valley Campground for ten years in general maintenance before retiring completely in 2015. He was a long-time member and officer of the Sons of the American Legion Post 624. Ron lived a full life enjoying everyday as a holiday. He enjoyed camping, fishing, motorcycling, boating and spending time with friends and family. He was always there to help out anyone who needed it. Ron is survived by his wife of twenty-six years, Mary Sue (Donelson) Graham; daughters, Michelle A. Graham of Bloomington, Illinois, Dawn R. (Graham) Audi of Bloomington, Illinois, Kristina L. (Long) Baker of Boonville, Missouri and Kayla R. Heibenthal of El Paso, Illinois; a son, David J. Long of Boonville, Missouri; six grandchildren, Kyle J. Audi, Ashley D. Duncan, Jesse S. Duncan, Emily M. Audi, Dominic B. Baker and Dante R. Baker; great-grandchildren, Mayloni and Milianah Cook and siblings, James H. Graham and wife Linda of Warsaw, Missouri, Linda L. (Graham) Cox of Bloomington, Illinois and Steven D. Graham and lifetime companion Julie of Mountain Grove, Missouri. Ron was preceded in death by his parents; a nephew; a niece and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He lost many close friends through the years. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 14, 2018 at Kidwell-Garber Laurie/Sunrise Beach Chapel, Laurie, Missouri. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until service time at the funeral home. A second memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 21, 2018 at Calvert and Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington, Illinois. A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until service time at the funeral home. Inurnment will be in Garber Memorial Estates, Laurie, Missouri. Memorial donations may be made to Christmas Angels. Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Kidwell-Garber Laurie/Sunrise Beach Chapel.