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Lawrence John Graham

July 23, 1924 - March 1, 2021

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Larry was born on July 23, 1924 in St. Paul Minnesota at St. Joseph’s Hospital to Adelaide and Lawrence Sr. He graduated with high honors from St. Paul Central.
With World War II in full motion, Larry enlisted in the Army and was sent to Fort Lee, Virginia for basic training. In the fall of 1944, Larry found himself on a military transport ship leaving Southampton, England, bound for Cherbourg, France, where the D-Day Invasion had just occurred. A key memory Larry had of that voyage was the sound of depth charges into the water as they were nearing the coast due to concern over German U-boats which were reported touring the area. For the following several months, Larry and his 104th Infantry Unit followed up, chasing German troops through the hedgerows in the French countryside as
they swept through France and into Germany. In January 1946 Larry returned from WWII European chapter to Camp McCoy, Wisconsin where he was honorably discharged.
After his discharge Larry returned to St. Paul, he enrolled at St. Thomas College, graduating as a top student in 1949.
In 1947, in St. Paul, Larry met his wife Trudy (Florence Schuster); they were married in February 1949. Trudy and Larry celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary in February 2021. Larry and Trudy had their own special love, chemistry and, above all, determination. This propelled them and their five children through decades of adventures and laughs “through thick and through thin”.
Larry had a long and successful career as an Industrial Development Manager for the Great Northern Railway (Burlington Northern Santa Fe). Trudy and Larry and their children enjoyed many outstanding ski trips to Big Mountain, Montana and Glacier National Park, traveling via the “Empire Builder” passenger train from St. Paul Union Station to Whitefish, MT. Larry and Trudy were avid travelers and enjoyed many trips to Europe.
Larry was an especially decent and spiritual person who quietly practiced his strong Roman Catholic faith. He was dedicated to his participation in the St Leo’s parish choir in St. Paul, MN for many decades, rarely missing a Sunday or special service or a Wednesday evening choir practice. He loved music. Larry was an outstanding athlete and was active with hockey, tennis and golf leagues throughout his life. He coached little league baseball and was a sports fan with a special affection for the Minnesota Twins.
A few years after his retirement, Larry and Trudy moved to Arizona where they spent fulfilling years with dear friends and family enjoying golf, swimming and an active social life. Larry worked part time at gentleman’s clothing into his 80s.
Larry leaves behind his beloved wife, Trudy, two daughters: Christie of Seattle, WA; Mary Beth Arnot, husband Stuart, of Sun City West, AZ and Flathead Lake, MT, and three sons: David Graham, wife Anne, of Minneapolis, MN: Larry Jr, wife Kristin, of Bellevue, WA: and Ronald, wife Marjorie, of Pacific Palisades, CA. Larry also leaves behind four grandsons, Matthew, Peter, Christopher and Alec, and one granddaughter, Madeline. The family will gather for a private Celebration of Life for our dear father, grandfather and husband.