October 12, 1939-April 26, 2024
Funeral services for H. Gene Graham, 84, were held Monday, April 29, 2024, at 3 pm in the First Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Ronnie Lunsford officiating, under the direction of Ratliff Funeral Home.
Gene was born October 12, 1939, in Rodessa, La. He and LaJean Grace were married on July 24, 1972, in Waurika, Okla. He was a 32nd degree Mason, and a member of the Denver City, Texas, Masonic Lodge #1278. He was an early entrepreneur, beginning business ventures with his brothers cutting grass, gathering pecans, and selling soda bottles.
Official careers included driving a chemical truck, managing a Kentucky Fried Chicken and owning and operating a pizzeria, working on pipeline and working for Kidd Oilfield Services. The expertise and business acumen gained from his years of experience allowed him to successfully run Renew Pump and Supply, Inc. for 30 years, a business he started by scouring junk yards for oilfield equipment that could be rebuilt and resold. He also patented the Graham Pump.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, George and Wilma Baxter and his brother, Ronnie Graham.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, LaJean Graham; a son, Stephen Graham, of Mooresville, NC; two daughters, Michelle Graham and Shanna Weir and her husband Ronald, all of Denver City; three brothers, Charles, Richard and Sam Graham. He was also fondly known as “Poppy” by his five grandchildren, Kelsey, Heather, Austin, Brittani and Jarin: along with ten great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Denver City Masonic Lodge #1278