John U. Graham

John Underwood Graham, 94 of Lafayette, died Sunday, September 16, at University Place in West Lafayette. He was born July 15, 1918 in Lafayette to the late Walter A. and Helen Underwood Graham. He attended Washington Grade School, Jefferson High School and Purdue University and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1940. In 1942 he married Mary Ruth Craig and his beloved wife survives. He was a member of Beta Theta Pi Social Fraternity while at Purdue and was captain of the Purdue swim team his senior year. After graduating from Purdue he was employed by Owens-Corning Fiberglass Corporation in Ohio before entering the United States Army in 1941 and serving until 1946 retiring with the rank of Captain. He then oversaw the family insurance agency in Lafayette?The Underwood Agency?for 36 years. He was a member and past-president of the Lafayette Kiwanis Club, past-president of the Purdue Alumni Association and a board member of Lafayette Home Hospital. He was active in the Harrison Trails Council of the Boy Scouts of America serving as Scoutmaster, Troop Committeeman, Council Board Member and President. He served on the camp staff to the National Jamboree in Idaho in 1969. A proud and lifelong scout, he received the Distinguished Eagle Award by the National Council and the Silver Beaver Award?the Council-level distinguished service award for adult leaders who have made an impact on the lives of youth and for providing years of service to the community.

He was a 60-year member of Central Presbyterian Church serving as Elder and Trustee. He also served as a volunteer for the Lafayette Aging and Community Services agency. A past director and member of the Lafayette Country Club and a member to the Town and Gown and John Purdue Club, he took pride in his Tippecanoe County life having been born, raised and died there.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Mary Ruth Craig Graham; Daughters, Susan C. Wilde (Ed), of Athens, GA; Emily J. Graham, of Boston, MA; Sons, Craig W. Graham, (Christine), of Lafayette, IN; Donald J. Graham, (Kathleen), of Indianapolis, IN; six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sisters Winona Graham and Elizabeth Nickerson.

A memorial service will be at 2 pm on Thursday, September 20, at Central Presbyterian Church in Lafayette.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Dudley Peak Craig Scholarship for the purpose of providing scholarship funds for Mechanical Engineering students at Purdue University?gifts should be mailed to Purdue University?or to the John and Mary Ruth Graham Endowment for the purpose of providing operating funds for the Tippecanoe Community Health Clinic?gifts should be mailed to the Tippecanoe Community Health Clinic.