Elmer Shepard "Shep" Graham, 87, of Bay City passed away Friday May 16, 2008. He was born October 13, 1920 in Bay City to the late Lessie Marie Presley Graham and George Jefferson Graham, the youngest of their four children. Shep was a life long resident of Bay City, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, served his country as a member of the Army Air Forces during WWII in which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for valor in combat, and worked for Marathon Oil Co. for many years. He also served as Fire Marshall for the City of Bay City, was a longtime member of the Bay City Volunteer Fire Dept, served as the church custodian for many years, was a member of the American Legion Post 11, Life Member VFW Post 2438, and a member of Masonic Lodge 865 A.F. & A.M.

Shep is survived by 2 daughters: Janet French & husband Johnny of Lake Jackson and Gina Hinman & husband Garlan of Bay City; 2 grandchildren: Jana Gibson & husband Spencer of The Woodlands, SSG Jon-Michael French, USA & wife Betsy of Darmstadt Germany; 6 great grandchildren: Kara, Chance & Caden Gibson, and Colby, Nicholas, & Brandon French; sister-in-law: Bobbie Lettieri of Florida; and many nieces, nephews great and beyond. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife: Alice Ruth Catchings Graham, son: Robert Shepard Graham, 2 brothers: JB "Jack" and JP "Prep" Graham; and sister: Louisa Lowery. He is also survived by his special friends and caretakers Lee & Joe Guajardo.

A visitation will be held Monday, May 19, 2008 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will be held 4:00 PM Tuesday May 20, 2008 at the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints with Bishop David Homer and Dr. Joseph Cannon MD officiating. Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: SSG Jon-Michael French, Spencer Gibson, Joe Guajardo, Doug Heubner, Russ Lovell, Ken Madsen, Lynn Royster, and Paul Wainner. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Dr. James Cowart, Bill McKissick, Dr. Frank Rickman, Charlie Talbot, and the Members of the Bay City Volunteer Fire Dept. Memorials can be made to the Brazoria County Military Moms P.O. Box 3615 Lake Jackson TX 77566, Houston Hospice 1102 N. Mechanic El Campo TX 77437-3029, or Charity of Choice.