Roger Graham, 71

Roger Graham passed away suddenly at his home on June 11, 2016.

He was born Feb. 6, 1945, in Fort Wayne, Ind., and as an infant moved with his family to the San Diego, Calif., area, resulting in a never-ending love affair with the ocean.

Roger volunteered for a draft and did Army basic at Fort Lewis, Wash. His platoon helped guard the young girls at the International Girl Scout Jamboree. After being at Farragut, he always wanted to return to North Idaho and enjoy the beauty he had experienced. He was transferred to Fort Polk and trained in biological, chemical, radioactive warfare and then deployed to Korea where he was an M.P. He was very proud of his service and a lifetime member of the VFW.

After returning to California he started work at General Dynamics where he eventually became a rigger. This was his true passion in life and a job he so enjoyed. The challenge of the moves, lifts, etc. would keep his mind going, looking for the best solution to the problem. He had a very high security clearance while working for General Dynamics and worked on programs including the Tomahawk cruise missiles, Atlas, Gemini and Centaur programs, just to name a few.

Upon retiring from General Dynamics, he and his former wife, Janice, moved to North Idaho. They eventually purchased The Keg Bar in Rathdrum.

He was a protector, defender, supporter, cheering squad, problem solver, fix it man, a friend, companion, lover, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and so much more.

An avid historian and voracious reader, Roger loved aircraft and anything to do with planes or outer space. Motorcycles and scary rides were a joy for him. He loved fishing and enjoyed his camping with family. Even though he wouldn’t admit it, I think he loved beating Shawn and Kevin when they would go fishing with him. I remember how proud he was of Ambrose when he caught his infamous fish.

A big bear of a man, and a pussy cat, he did a lot of good deeds for others and loved paying it forward. Roger was always in amazement that he had the property in the woods with all the animals at his door. He fed the deer, the stray cats, birds, etc. that wondered in from the trees.

Roger is survived by his wife of 24 years, Sharon; children Shawn Denny and Shannon McKiernan and their spouses Sharon Denny and Kevin McKiernan; grandchildren Charmaine and Ambrose Denny, and Ultan and Faolan McKiernan; sister Bonnie Brown and family, Petty Schott and family; and a brother, Charles (Corky) Graham and family.

A memorial service is 1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 23, 2016, at the Post Falls American Legion Hall, located on the corner of Syringa and Poleline in Post Falls.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Jude’s Hospital in his name. Visit Roger’s memorial page at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.