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.
Ronnie Graham was a good friend to me at TxDOT.
Bridget, I am so sorry for your loss. Sending prayers for you and your family. Please know that I am available if you need me! Love & prayers to you!
Praying for you and your family. Hugs & prayers.
Cheryl Payne Sonka
Uncle Ronnie you will be missed glad I have great and funny memories with you. Wished I could spent more time with you. To many years have gone by. RIP. You are loved by all
Bridgett, I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. May God bless you and your family.
Gail & I are so sorry for your loss. Praying for all the family. Been a good friend for many years We will miss him.
Praying for peace and comfort to the entire family.
Bridget so sorry for your loss. He was a good man. Can’t make it to viewing or celebration of life but my heart will be with you and your family. Gayle wilton
Bridget so sorry for your loss. He was a good man. Can’t make it to viewing or celebration of life but my heart will be with you and your family.
I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family. If I can do anything please let me know.
Dearest Bridget I am sorry for your loss. I will be keeping you in my prayers
Susan Stanley
Bridget, your family has been a part of my work life for a long time now. I have not spent a lot of time with them in person, but I feel I know them pretty well from the stories we have shared over the years. Whether it was sneaking out to smoke at Dailey, or just talking here at MAC. Ronnie was a great guy , and I know you loved him very much. I pray you and your family are able to find peace, I know that Ronnie would not want you to be in pain for long. Be strong and let me know if you need anything. Love you girl!! —–Don
I really am at a loss for words Bridget , I am so heartbroken at the thought of what you must be going through, I will miss talking with Ronnie he was so supportive when my mother and father passed. I will always remember the great times we had as children growing up . And enjoying y’all so much when y’all came to Florida and all the good laughs we had . He is loved and will be missed dearly. Love y’all so much , Cheryl
Prayers to Bridget and family so sorry for your loss he will be missed by so many. I’m glad I was able to visit with him at the store that day
Ronnie was a good man. I know he will be missed.
Lost a brother and good friend. I moved away many years ago so we unfortunately were not as close as we used to be. However, we were able to get together briefly back in August and it was good to see him again. Time passes quickly and unfortunately we will no longer be able to talk about old times.
He could tell a story like no other. He will be missed.
RIP Brother
Bridge I know how you are feeling right now. My heart goes out to you and your family. There ate no words to make it any easier for you but I hope you are remembering all the fun times and all the love he had for you and the entire family. He was a great guy and will be deeply missed by all.
We were best friends growing up wish we could have stay more in touch over the years. Sorry for your loss . Praying for the family
Bridget, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts & prayers are with you and if you need anything please let me know. Love ya girl!
Ronnie was always a sincere down to earth guy. Wishing you and your family peace to bring you comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your heart. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Thoughts and prayers for Ron’s family and friends!
I worked with Ron for many years at TxDOT.
He was fun to worked with, he was very honest and hardworking.
He loved his family, motorcycles and music.
He will truly be missed!