Carl Graham, Jr.

GREENFIELD– Carl Graham, Jr., age 85, Greenfield, passed away on Thursday, October 8, 2009, in his hometown of Greenfield, Indiana. Carl was born July 2, 1924, the son of the late Carl and Pearl (Griffith) Graham, of Greenfield. He was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Don Medlin; a brother, Kenneth; and his beloved sister, Ruth (Thomas, Jarrett) Griffin. Carl was an avid coon hunter and fisherman. He was a soldier in the U.S. Army during WWII and served in France and Germany. He was proud to serve his country, but he hated war. Carl also boxed to a record of 40 wins in 42 fights, all were knock outs. During the sixties and seventies, despite only having a seventh grade education, he became the foremost builder of new homes in Hancock County. His reputation for well built homes and quality workmanship made his planned retirement seemingly impossible. To escape his popularity as a builder, he moved to Tennessee where he taught himself to build furniture. With Carl’s never ending work ethic, he was soon turning out furniture with the same quality as the homes he had built for thirty years. He eventually moved back to Indiana and continued to build oak furniture. He worked seven days a week as long as he could stand and when he couldn’t stand he worked from a wheelchair. Then as his body failed him and he could no longer work he went back to where he started. It was a small rented house on the south side of Greenfield where he left us all much richer for having known him. Survivors include his sisters, Margaret Turney in Edwardsburg, MI, and Lenore Hayes of Fortville; his precious wife of 64 years, Joan (Thomas) Graham of Fortville; son, Thomas C. (Rebecca) Graham; daughters, Becky J. Medlin and Holly B. (Lester) Jackson; nine grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild, all of Greenfield. Visitation will be Sunday, October 11, 2009, from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. at Erlewein Mortuary in Greenfield. Funeral services will take place on Monday, October 12, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. at the mortuary. Pastor Jack Goff will be officiating and burial will take place at Eden Cemetery. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the U.S. Army. Memorial contributions in memory of Carl may be made to the American Diabetes Association, with envelopes available at the mortuary. Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.erleweinmortuary.com or e-mail condolences to sympathy@erleweinmortuary.com.

Carl Graham, Jr.

July 2, 1924 - October 8, 2009