Jeffrey Scott Graham received the National Defense Service Medal and the Navy Achievement Medal
Jeffrey Scott Graham, 45, passed away at 6:20 p.m. March 1, 2013 at Richland Manor Nursing Home. He was born on April 23, 1967, in Lakewood, to Robert B. & Karen L. Eke Graham.
He was a 1985 graduate of Bluffton High School. He then entered the United States Navy, where he had top-secret clearance, received the National Defense Service Medal and the Navy Achievement Medal, worked in Electronic Warfare, and was honorably discharged in 1991, as an EW3.
While he was in the Navy, he worked as a tutor for the Gooden School in Sierra Madre, CA; and then worked as a flight and ground instructor for Bartlett Aviation Inc., El Monte, CA. He received his associates degree in Commercial Flight from Mt. St. Antonio College, graduating with honors; he then received his bachelors degree in Aviation Administration from California State University, graduating Cum Laude.
He flew and was a Captain for Air Vegas, PSA, TWA, USAir, American, ATA, American West, and AirTran Airlines. His hobbies included flying, swimming, boating, riding his motorcycle, traveling, and reading. He was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ, Bluffton.
Survivors include his mother and step-father, Karen L. (James) Graham-Lewis, of Bluffton; his son, Caleb Owen Graham, of Lafayette, IN; three brothers, Ronald Graham, of Bluffton, Lyle (Melissa) Graham, of Bluffton, and Gordan (Rose) Graham, of Findlay; a step-sister, Heather (Matthew) Lewis-Herman, of Troy; a step-brother, Todd Lewis, of Gatliff, KY; a niece, Shelby Arnett, of Troy; and two nephews, Louis Graham, of Bluffton, and Levi Graham, of Bluffton.
He was preceded in death by his father; his paternal grandparents, Lyle and Aldyth Graham; and his maternal grandparents, Edward and Eileen Eke.
Services will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Bluffton. Rev. David Plant will officiate.
Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery, Bluffton, with military rites. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Chiles - Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton Chapel, and one hour prior to the services Tuesday at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital or a charity of the donor's choice. Condolences may be expressed at www.chiles-lamanfh.com
Stories Posted This Week
Monday, September 28, 2026
Sunday, September 27, 2026
Saturday, September 26, 2026
- Ada Icon headlines, September 26
- September 26 Bluffton Schools athletics lineup, streaming
- State Patrol investigates serious injury crash involving ambulance
- Weekend Doctor: What is a DO?
- Distance runner Chappell-Dick to be inducted in EMU Hall of Honor
- October Business Collective with Bluffton Food Pantry
Friday, September 25, 2026
- Ada Icon headlines, September 25
- Clay, community, and the classroom
- Pirate volleyball loss vs. Crestview
- Pirate girls soccer win vs. Allen East
- Janine Elizabeth (Minnich) Millager, 87, was a lab technician
- Send October 2026 calendar events to the Icon
- New time for Planning and Bluffton Beyond Tomorrow meetings, Sept 29
- Pirate boys golf 10th at sectionals
- Fall Festival activities are all over Bluffton, Sept. 26
Thursday, September 24, 2026
- Marilyn Florence (Brunn) Osting, 94, was a nurse
- Paul Richard Wingate Jr., 79, worked for the Lima Ford Engine Plant
- Ada Icon headlines, Sept. 24
- Roundabouts celebrated for crash reduction
- Scarecrow competition for Bluffton businesses
- Hello, Goodbye: Diphenhydramine for allergies
- 5th Annual MHCO Gala will Roll Out the Red Carpet
- Funeral notice for Mary Louise Reddick
- ODNR urges caution during fall wildfire season
- Nursing student to share clinical research at First Tuesday in the Library