Elmer Leon Graham

Elmer Leon Graham, 86, of Missoula, passed away Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, at his home in Missoula of natural causes.

He was born Feb. 12, 1928, in Darlington, Pennsylvania, to Frank Leslie Graham and Minnie Mae Graham (Hughes). Growing up, Elmer lived and worked on the family dairy. He left the family dairy to join the Merchant Marines followed by the U.S. Navy, starting July 2, 1945. During his service in the U.S. Navy, Elmer earned three letters of commendation for his actions in relation to the Cuban missile crisis of 1962. Elmer enjoyed flying in the Navy, but he retired on Jan. 5, 1967, as a chief aviation machinist's mate R.

Elmer also owned and ran a sporting goods store in Texas and the Exxon station on the corner of Brooks and Reserve streets in Missoula. Elmer worked for an outside contracting company for BLM as an aircraft mechanic and pilot on fire retardant planes in Alaska, Idaho, Montana and California during fire seasons.

Elmer had a passion for hunting. Along with hunting came fishing, horses and camping. Elmer always seemed to have a mischievous glint in his eye as he watched for openings to orchestrate another prank. After his death, Elmer wanted to "go to college" by donating his body to science.

Elmer was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Leslie Graham and Minnie Mae Graham (Hughes); former wife, Esther Graham (Casey); and son, Roy Dean Graham.

Elmer is survived by his wife, Audrey Grace Graham (Hylland, Braddock); daughter, Lou Ann Graham; granddaughter, Arita Graham; great-grandson, River Martucci; stepchildren, Mark (Kathy) Braddock, Rick (Ruth) Braddock, Larry (Brenda) Braddock and Karen (Bruce) Reno; step-grandchildren, Nathan Braddock, Eric Braddock, Aaron Braddock, Nolan Braddock, Ian Braddock, Cesca Swartz (Braddock), Destiney Beazor (Reno), Matthew Reno, Joesph Reno; step-great-grandchildren, Kaity, Brooklyn, Penelope, Daphne, Frances, Trenton, Samuel, Audrey, Jethro, Ethan, Owen, Elijah; step-great-great grandchildren, Gracie and Brandon.

Services were held Tuesday, Jan. 6, at Atonement Lutheran Church.
Read Elmer Graham's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.