Alan Graham

Frank Alan Graham, 68, died on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022, at his home in Union City.
Visitation was held 12:30-2:30 p.m. on Sunday at White-Ranson Funeral Home. A graveside service followed at 3 p.m. in East View Cemetery. Jim Glasgow Jr. officiated. Jack Cody, Jimmy Flood, Ben Glasgow, Kyle Hitt, Arthur Kirkland, James Kirkland, William Kirkland, Keith Parker and Larry Vernon served as pallbearers.
Mr. Graham was born in Union City on June 7, 1954, to the late Annie Laurie Milner Graham and the late Alf Hays Graham. According to family lore, his mother and father were unable to agree on a name for their new baby and spontaneously decided to leave that detail up to chance, determining that the next arrival to their small office at Graham’s Heating and Refrigeration would provide the title that had eluded them. The mailman’s name was Frank.
Mr. Graham spent his early years on Whirmantler, under the trusted watch of special caregiver, Emma Lou Haynes, among close neighbors, a beloved dog and childhood playmates. A second generation Tornado, he graduated from Union City High School as a member of the class of 1972, and married the former Linda Glasgow during the fall of 1974.
He continued the work of his parents in their small business, helping keep Obion Countians cool in humid summers and warm in blessedly short winter seasons. A frugal man at heart, his first direction to customers with heating or air trouble was to approach their unit and “kick the (expletive) out of it,” which often saved time and money for everyone involved.
For fun, Mr. Graham enjoyed crafting exquisitely immaculate ductwork and turning unique wood into duck calls for use on Reelfoot Lake after decades spent as an enthusiastic outdoorsman. His favorite moments of each year were shared with cherished friends and his son, camping in a primitive garage in Speedway, Ind., to enjoy the pageantry and thrill of the Indianapolis 500, culminating in a traditional feast at Red Lobster.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Graham’s legacy includes three children, Heidi (Jeff) Pettyjohn of Memphis, Emily Kinser of Jonesville, Va., and John Alan (Jessica) Graham of Union City. He also leaves three grandsons, Hank Kinser and Graham Kinser, both of Jonesville, and Hays Alan Graham of Union City; as well as one brother, David (Cheryl) Graham of Nashville.
As an expression of sympathy, friends may contribute to the charity of their choice or to Hometown Walk of Hope at 902 Perkins St., Union City, TN. If inclined, please remember Alan fondly with a cold, crisp Budweiser and a warm smile for the mail carrier.
Condolences may be sent to the family at the funeral home website: www.white-ranson.com.

Published 11.29.22 in The Messenger.