Dave Carl Graham, 76

Dave Carl Graham, 76, peacefully passed into the loving arms of our Heavenly Father at his home near Rathdrum, Idaho, on June 7, 2023. Dave was born Aug. 10, 1946, in Cottonwood, Idaho, to his parents, Edward Carl Graham and Mabyn Lucille (Dugger) Graham. He spent his childhood growing up around Lapwai, Lewiston and Winchester. He graduated from Lapwai High School in 1965 and attended Lewis and Clark State College in Lewiston, graduating with an associate's degree in auto mechanics.

On July 1, 1978, he married the love of his life, Bonnie Gilbertson, in Albert Lea, Minn. He had four children, Dean Graham of Lewiston, Kristy Kellogg of Wichita Falls, Texas, Holli (Rodney) Hansen of Rathdrum, Idaho, and Brandon (Jessica) Graham of Fort Moore, Ga. He was blessed with six grandchildren, Kyler and Kade Hansen, Brooke Irby, Deacon, Stefan and Paisley Graham.

He worked as a mechanic in Idaho, Alaska, Wyoming, Colorado and Texas. In 1990, he started his own business, Land Cruisers Unlimited, and continued to run his business until his Parkinson’s disease forced him to retire.

He enjoyed four-wheeling in his Toyota Land Cruiser, camping, fishing, hunting, traveling and spending time with his family. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed playing practical jokes and pranks on everyone, but he would also help anyone in need. He was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church. He was a founding member of the North Idaho Trailblazers and the Rough Riders Off-Road Club. He was fondly known as Cruiser Dave.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents and sister Melba Graham. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren and his sister, Nancy (Steven) Coffland.

Dave’s family would like to thank the amazing teams at Hospice of North Idaho and Reliant Healthcare for the excellent care they provided to Dave. They went above and beyond and treated him so kindly and gently, like a member of their family.

Please come and join us for a memorial service and celebration of life for Dave on Sunday, Aug. 27, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Bayview Community Center, 20298 E. Perimeter Road in Bayview.

Visit Dave's online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.