October 11, 1953 – October 20, 2019

Ronald Clay Graham, of College Station, passed away Sunday, October 20, 2019.

Ronnie was born in Martinez, California on October 11, 1953. He moved to Houston, Texas as a baby, and attended Galena Park High School. He started working in a machine shop with his dad after finishing high school. Then he went into welding for refineries and train yards in Houston. He briefly moved to Waco, where he met the love of his life, Bridget Graham. They then moved to College Station. He worked a couple of different jobs, but finally landed his career long job welding for the Texas Department of Transportation, District 17. But, ultimately, the job he loved the most was being a musician. In his younger years, he would play 3-4 nights a week to support his family and do what he loved. He retired from TxDOT at the age of 55 and lived the rest of his life out continuing to play guitar with the Whiskey Bent Band up until his death. Ronnie is remembered as a wonderful husband to his wife, a great dad to his children, and a phenomenal grandfather to his grandchildren.

Ronnie loved his motorcycles, racing, and hot rods. Ronnie inspired the same love in his sons and has cost his daughter-in-laws a lot of money in the process. He played baseball throughout high school where he earned MVP for pitching and played AAA ball for a couple years as well. His love for baseball lasted throughout his life, and the Astros were always his number one team. He thankfully lived long enough to see the Astros win the ALCS this year. 

Ronnie is leaving behind a legacy of loving hard, working harder, and living life to its fullest. Despite how sick he got, he was always there for his family, and no matter what, he chose love over pain. 

Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents, JW and Maxine Graham; his brothers Ralph Harrison and Bob Graham; and his sisters, Joyce Ware and Geraldine Aven.  

Ronnie is survived by his wife of 36 years, Bridget Graham of College Station; his brothers Jackie Graham of Georgia, James Harrison of Houston, and Gerald Harrison of Dayton; his sisters Sharon Shilling of Germany and Paula Rinker of Cloverleaf; his sons John Graham and wife Cindy of Whitney, and Lance Graham and wife Colleen of College Station; his daughters Mandy Broach and husband David of South Carolina, and Shawna Zaiger and husband Jason of Arlington; his grandsons Aubrey McClain of West and Tyler Evans of Jewett; his granddaughters Brittany Bryant of North Carolina, Kymberlie Contreras of College Station, Dakota Broach of South Carolina, Kylie Graham of College Station, and Kaylin Graham of College Station. 

A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 pm Wednesday, October 23, at Callaway-Jones Funeral Center, 3001 S College Avenue in Bryan. Ronnie will be honored with a Celebration of Life, officiated by Certified Celebrant Dawn Lee Wakefield, at 3 pm Thursday, October 24, at Callaway-Jones Funeral Center. 

Ronnie was loved and will be incredibly missed by many.