GARY DALE GRAHAM
Gary Dale Graham, 77, of Memphis, Texas, passed away on Nov. 8, 2025.
Graveside services took place at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Rowe Cemetery in Hedley, Texas, with Rev. Anthony Knowles officiating. Viewing as held Wednesday, Nov. 12 at the funeral home, with the family receiving friends for visitation from 4-6 p.m. Arrangements were under the care of Robertson Funeral Directors of Memphis.
Born on Jan. 14, 1948, in Memphis, to Lester and Ruby Oakley Graham, Gary was a 1966 graduate of Memphis High School and later attended Clarendon Junior College.
In the summer of 1964, Gary met Nita Bailey at Fowler’s Swimming Pool in Memphis. They were united in marriage on Feb. 1, 1969, at the First Baptist Church in Hedley.
The couple made their home in Bushland, Texas, where Gary was employed for 40 years with the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. Working in the beef cattle department with veterinarians and nutritionists, his job entailed all aspects of caring for cattle.
For 36 of those years, Gary also served as the afterhours caretaker of the Research Center Farm, mentoring many students and graduates who became lifelong friends. While in Bushland, he was a member of Bushland Baptist Church and had also served on the Bushland ISD School Board in the 1980s.
After his retirement, in January 2008, Gary returned to Memphis, where he was well-known and recognized for driving around town in his 1973 red and white Ford truck.
Above all, Gary will be remembered as a loving husband, a devoted “Daddy” and a proud “Poppy.”
He is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Wynema “Sissy” Thweatt, of St. Jo, Texas; his nephew, Heath Spruill, of St. Jo; and his sister-in-law, Brenda Driver Graham, of Claude, Texas.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Nita; his darling daughter, Melissa Henderson and husband Nathan, of Amarillo, Texas; his grandson, Braxton Henderson, of Amarillo; and his granddaughter, Natalie Henderson, of Columbia, Mo. He is also survived by his brother, Keith Graham, of Clarendon, Texas; his sister, Rita Legate, of Clarendon; and many nieces and nephews.
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