James Graham

JAMES KEITH GRAHAM

Coralville

James Keith Graham, 84, formerly of Ottumwa, died at 7:55 p.m. Aug. 9, 2021, at Lantern Park Specialty Care in Coralville.

He was born Feb. 26, 1937, in Shenandoah, Iowa, to Gernard Keith and Eva Hart Graham. Jim married Susan E. Arnold on April 6, 1966. She preceded him in death on Nov. 12, 2017.

A graduate of Agency High School, he attended Parsons College. Jim served in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserves and the Iowa Army National Guard.

From 1960-1973, he worked at John Morrell & Co., and then worked at Lauden in Fairfield and at Hormel in Ottumwa. Jim and his wife were property managers for Motel 6 around the midwest, for Leisure Living in Ottumwa and he had worked in maintenance for Hawkeye Area Community Action Program in Cedar Rapids.

Jim was a member of First Church of the Open Bible.

Surviving are his sons, Shawn (Peggy) Graham of West Des Moines and Curtis (Michel) Graham of Swisher; four grandchildren, Zachary (Christina), Ian (Tara), Ashleigh and Sarah; five great-grandsons, Orin, Kinnick, Elijah, Carver and Hayden; and siblings, Marilyn Tilton of Cedar Rapids, Barb (Rex) Ward of Commerce City, Colo., Carla Graham of Keota, Roger Graham of Ottumwa, Don Graham and Jack Graham, both of Des Moines, and Vern (Judy) Graham of New London.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Russell Graham.

Visitation will be open at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 12, at Reece Funeral Home in Ottumwa. The family will be present to greet friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday. Private graveside services and burial will be in Shaul Cemetery with military honors conducted by Walter B. Schafer Post #775 Veterans of Foreign Wars and O.B. Nelson Post #3 American Legion.

Memorials may be made to a Veteran's organization of the donor's choice.