Obituary for Melton Graham
John “Melton” Graham, M.D.
John Hamilton Melton Graham was born on November 24, 1943 in Wharton County, Texas, the fourth child of Marvin and Maudie Graham. He was a track star at Sweeny high school that resulted in him having to be the first one off the line at any red light or stop sign and skidding to a stop at the next one. Brake repair companies loved him.
He graduated from Sweeny High School in 1962 and got his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Houston in 1966. He earned his master’s degree from Baylor University in 1968. He attended Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center, did his internship and anesthesia residency at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas. He joined his sister, Marie Graham, M.D. in her anesthesiology practice in Arlington, Texas in 1975. He practiced anesthesia in Arlington and Mansfield until 2014. The medical world was his element and he thrived in it, sacrificing his own personal enjoyment to be helpful to others. He belonged to all the medical societies and groups that are too many to mention. He was immensely proud to be a Son of the Republic of Texas. He would have lived nowhere else but the Lone Star State.
Melton was an idealist and a dreamer. He always had an idea or scheme to better himself and his family, from raising chinchillas, starting a vineyard, raising emus, erecting wind turbines. For a brief time, he even contemplated growing marijuana on his ranch, but never had the nerve. His mind was never idle. He loved politics and Rush Limbaugh, and if caught with him for longer than 5 minutes, you knew this. Gardening was also a passion. Everything I know about plants and the soil I learned from him. He loved his vegetable garden and tending to it. He took great pride in the pecan tree he grafted from the O.S. Gray pecan orchard in old Arlington, even though the squirrels got every single pecan. We never ate one.
Melton was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Marvin Graham, his sister, Marie Graham Blake, his granddaughter, Caroline Graham. He is survived by his sweet sister, Ada and her husband, Frank Bruce. His wife, Linda Beard Graham. The mother of his children and dear friend, Susan Kay Strawn and her husband, Taylor. Four of the most unique and totally “Graham” children he adored: Tamalyn Hellums and her husband Mark, York Graham and his wife Theral, Hunter Graham and his wife Kylee, Reagan Graham and his wife Kristin. He is also survived by children by love, Matt Norwood and wife Jill, and Rachel Walker and husband Jeff. The best for last: Fifteen grandchildren to be the hope of the future and carry on their Papa’s/Gramp’s tenacity, drive, humor, and eccentricities: Knox, Pierce, and Cale Hellums; Deuce Graham; David Hunter, Remington, and Ashtyn Taylor Graham; Grayson and Leighton Graham; Audrey, Mady, and Eva Norwood; Grant and William Adamson, and McKenna Walker. He also has many nieces and nephews who will remember him fondly.
A memorial will be held a later date.
John Hamilton Melton Graham was born on November 24, 1943 in Wharton County, Texas, the fourth child of Marvin and Maudie Graham. He was a track star at Sweeny high school that resulted in him having to be the first one off the line at any red light or stop sign and skidding to a stop at the next one. Brake repair companies loved him.
He graduated from Sweeny High School in 1962 and got his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Houston in 1966. He earned his master’s degree from Baylor University in 1968. He attended Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center, did his internship and anesthesia residency at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas. He joined his sister, Marie Graham, M.D. in her anesthesiology practice in Arlington, Texas in 1975. He practiced anesthesia in Arlington and Mansfield until 2014. The medical world was his element and he thrived in it, sacrificing his own personal enjoyment to be helpful to others. He belonged to all the medical societies and groups that are too many to mention. He was immensely proud to be a Son of the Republic of Texas. He would have lived nowhere else but the Lone Star State.
Melton was an idealist and a dreamer. He always had an idea or scheme to better himself and his family, from raising chinchillas, starting a vineyard, raising emus, erecting wind turbines. For a brief time, he even contemplated growing marijuana on his ranch, but never had the nerve. His mind was never idle. He loved politics and Rush Limbaugh, and if caught with him for longer than 5 minutes, you knew this. Gardening was also a passion. Everything I know about plants and the soil I learned from him. He loved his vegetable garden and tending to it. He took great pride in the pecan tree he grafted from the O.S. Gray pecan orchard in old Arlington, even though the squirrels got every single pecan. We never ate one.
Melton was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Marvin Graham, his sister, Marie Graham Blake, his granddaughter, Caroline Graham. He is survived by his sweet sister, Ada and her husband, Frank Bruce. His wife, Linda Beard Graham. The mother of his children and dear friend, Susan Kay Strawn and her husband, Taylor. Four of the most unique and totally “Graham” children he adored: Tamalyn Hellums and her husband Mark, York Graham and his wife Theral, Hunter Graham and his wife Kylee, Reagan Graham and his wife Kristin. He is also survived by children by love, Matt Norwood and wife Jill, and Rachel Walker and husband Jeff. The best for last: Fifteen grandchildren to be the hope of the future and carry on their Papa’s/Gramp’s tenacity, drive, humor, and eccentricities: Knox, Pierce, and Cale Hellums; Deuce Graham; David Hunter, Remington, and Ashtyn Taylor Graham; Grayson and Leighton Graham; Audrey, Mady, and Eva Norwood; Grant and William Adamson, and McKenna Walker. He also has many nieces and nephews who will remember him fondly.
A memorial will be held a later date.