Robert Graham

Jr.Robert "Bob" Riley Graham Jr., 71, of Chattanooga, passed away Wednesday, May 29, 2013.Bob was born in Chattanooga to his loving parents, Judge Riley Graham and Mrs. Edith Graham. After graduating from City High School in 1960, he graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1964 where he was an active member of the Lambda Chi fraternity.Bob worked several years at Combustion Engineering in Chattanooga before moving to St. Louis as controller of the St. Louis Plant. Bob later moved to Houston, Texas. He retired as Chief Operating Officer at C-E and returned to his treasured home town of Chattanooga. But, having too much energy for retirement, his career took a totally different turn by becoming president of King Medical Equipment. This venture lead him into many rewarding years of working in the home health care field. After his second retirement, he bought and successfully operated Smokey's Barbecue on Brainerd Road where he enjoyed interacting with the public and made many new friends.Over the years, Bob was a dedicated volunteer. These are just a few of his interests: He was especially concerned about Chattanooga's neighborhoods. Bob served as the Security Committee Chair and later President of the Missionary Ridge Neighborhood Association (MRNA). He was elected and served as a Charter Board Member and founding President of the Chattanooga Neighborhood Association Council (CNAC) having been elected by all 171 city neighborhood associations. CNAC's mission was to bring attention to neighborhood blight and crime issues to the City Council and others for resolution. He served as Chairperson of the Sector 2 Fox/Echo Teams Police/Neighborhood Coalition and coordinated the regular meetings of the Citizens Police Interaction Coalition (CPIC) where residents could bring their neighborhood concerns directly to the local Police Officer working that area. He was also a proud member of The Gideons International. For four years he served as president of the Elder Scholars Program, a division of the Continuing Education Department at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, his alma mater.Being an avid University of Tennessee football fan, he served many years as a fundraiser on the Volunteer Athletic Scholarship Foundation (VASF) in Knoxville. Bob was an athlete in school so he especially enjoyed this chance to help improve the athlete's educational aspect of his college experience. His most cherished participation, however, was as a member of St. Marks United Methodist Church where he served and supported his beloved church in many capacities, but most remembered as Outreach Chair, Trustee Chair, Pastor-Parish Relations Chair, and member of the Church Council. He particularly loved greeting visitors on Sunday and would take them on a tour of the church to share his love of the beautiful architectural appeal of the hallowed building. St. Marks was especially dear to him as his grandparents were among the founding members and his parents were members there as well. St. Marks was more than just his church, it was his Church Family.He was predeceased by his parents, Judge Riley and Edith Graham; and son, Robert "Robby" Riley Graham III.Survivors include his loving and devoted wife of 40 years, Sandy Graham; daughter Traci L. Heffernan (Stan), of Houston, Texas; son, Jeffrey S. Graham, of Chattanooga; and stepson, James S. Melton, of Birmingham; five grandchildren, J. Scott Graham, Jr., Patrick Riley Graham, Ashley Johnson (Bryan), Hunter Heffernan and Jake Heffernan; two great-grandchildren, Dominique Graham and Riley Rae Johnson.We want to thank St. Barnabas Senior Living Services for allowing Bob to spend his last days in comfort while basking in the shadow of his beloved City High School which held so many good memories for him.The Funeral service will be conducted by Pastor Annette Flynn at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 1, 2013 at St. Marks United Methodist Church.In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to make a donation in his memory should please make it to St. Marks United Methodist Church, 701 Mississippi Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37405.Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort to the family and view the memorial tribute.The family will receive friends 5-8 p.m. today, May 31, 2013, at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 East Brainerd Road.