Herman Graham Sr.

To view the livestream of Herman's funeral service, please click on the tribute wall above and select "watch now." Herman L. Graham Sr, age 99, passed away Thursday, June 16, 2022 at Josie Harper Hospice House in Omaha, Nebraska. Herman began his life in Des Moines, Iowa on February 23, 1923. He attended and graduated from East High School. Herman was a lifetime resident of Des Moines, Iowa until he moved to Omaha, Nebraska in 2015 to be closer to his family. Herman married his high school sweetheart Blanche Delores Williams. To this union three children were born, son Herman L. Graham Jr., and two daughters, Marilynn and Cheryl Graham. When the United States entered World War II, Herman joined the United States Army, served six years, and received an Honorable Discharge. After returning home from the service, he worked at the Iowa Packing Company for a short time before becoming employed with the United States Postal Services where he remained until he retired as a Postal Carriers’ Supervisor in 1981. Herman believed in God. He was a voracious reader of the bible and the Daily Guide. He was a member of the Union Baptist Church for many years until he became a member of the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church where he was a member for fifty-two years and proudly served in various leadership positions. Herman was known for his caring, friendly, and loving ways to all that he met. He often said, “The one thing in life that I wish I had accomplished, I always wanted to become a minister.” Although he was not an ordained Minister, he will be remembered as a “Minister of Love,” and his commitment to helping and caring for others. One of Herman’s most gratifying pastimes was being a member of the Shriners International. He very much enjoyed, and gave particular attention to programs that assisted children, especially disadvantaged, and impoverished children. In 1965, Herman married his late wife of forty years, Doris Maxine Guess Graham. Although there were no children borne to this union, Maxine brought two sons, Kevin and Michael Guess into the union, who Herman loved as his own, plus Herman’s children from his previous marriage, and they created a loving blended family of seven. Herman and Maxine loved to bowl and travel. They would spend their vacations and summers traveling in their various RV’s throughout the United States. They truly enjoyed meeting and making friends wherever they traveled. After Maxine retired, they would spend their winters in Mesa Grande, Arizona. After ninety-nine (99) years of robust and very active independent living, Herman was called home to God’s Garden on Thursday, June 16, 2022. One day Herman was asked, “Why don’t you go downstairs more often and socialize?” Always a vibrant and independent man, he replied, “I don’t like being around those old people, they don’t have any energy.” Clearly, God has re-acquired the perfect catalyst to grow his Garden. Herman was preceded in death by his parents William (Will) and Sarah Bratton Graham, two brothers, Richard and Robert Graham; three sisters; Floretta and Marvel Graham, Jennie James; a niece Nancy Graham; his first wife Blanche Delores Graham Williams, grandson Herman Graham III, son-in-law Fred Liddell, and daughter-in-law Belinda Graham. Herman L. Graham Sr., leaves loving memories to be forever cherished by his children and their spouses; sons, Herman L. Graham Jr, Kevin (Tamera) Guess and Michael Guess; daughters Marilynn A. Liddell, Cheryl (William-Bill) Weston Anderson, and five grandchildren; William Jackson, Kevin Porter, Anthony Weston, Maxine Jackson, Emily James, and a host of relatives (great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews) and friends. Visitation with the family present will be held on Monday, June 20, 2022 at 1:00 PM, with services following at 2:00 PM at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory, 8201 Hickman Road, Urbandale IA 50322. Before his passing, Herman requested any memorial contributions be made to the St Paul Episcopal Church, 815 High Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309.