Michael J. Graham

Michael James Graham, 60, of Washington, KS, died Thursday, October 18, 2012 at his home after a short battle with cancer. A funeral service was held at 10:18 a.m., Monday, October 22, at the Washington Christian Church. Pastors Darel Boston and Jim Stark officiated. The congregation sang "How Great Thou Art" and "When We All Get To Heaven." Pallbearers were Clinton Stamm, Anthony Stamm, Marc Bryant, Rick Tegethoff, Dale Kohlmeyer, and Leland Cook. Burial was in the Washington City Cemetery. Michael was born the son of Lawrence and Evelyne (Fletcher) Graham on June 25, 1952, at the newly built Washington County Hospital. In 1970, he graduated from Washington High School and then attended Manhattan Bible College for one year. In 1973, he graduated from North Central Kansas Technical College in Beloit with a degree in electronics. He later became a certified Electronic Technician. On May 12, 1973, he married his high school sweetheart and life long friend Blanche Herda at the Washington Christian Church. They were blessed with three children, Heather, Amber and David. Mike worked for Printz TV at Clay Center for one year before returning to Washington and farming with his father. He delivered freight for EFT until buying Washington Aluminum and Glass from his father. In 1988, he began working as a cable technician servicing the Washington area under Belleville Cable TV, Cunningham Cable and later Blue Valley Telecommunications. Their business, Washington Aluminum and Glass, will continue to be a service to the community under the management of his wife, Blanche. He was a lifetime member of the Washington Christian Church where he served as an Elder, Sunday school teacher, choir member, sound and video technician and all around handy man. Mike served the community in countless ways including a director on the Colonial Acres Board, a member of the Washington Chamber of Commerce and providing the free service of Washington local television channel. He has been recognized by many groups including Washington County 4-H Rocketry Leader Award, Service Award from the Washington County Schools, Communications Award from the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the local Lions Club. He enjoyed helping with school and countless community activities and now enjoys singing in perfect harmony in the choir of angels with no sound system! He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Evelyne Graham. Survivors include his wife, Blanche; children, Heather and husband, Matthew Carder, Concordia, Amber and husband, Jason Anderson, Manhattan, David and wife, Brandy Graham, Manhattan; siblings, Larry (Susan) Graham, Sharon (David) Aufdengarten, Martha (Charles) Mosteller, Stephen Graham, all of Washington; and six grandchildren, Grace and Malachi Carder, Claire and Tessa Anderson, and Chloe and Eva Graham. A memorial fund has been established to benefit the Washington Christian Church or the Washington County Hospital. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Michael J. Graham, please visit our flower store.