Biography

Donald Edwin Graham Jr., 81, said farewell to his family Sunday, January 17, 2016. Don was born Fathers Day, June 17, 1934, in Portland, to Donald and Eva Jane Graham. He was the second oldest with three sisters and one brother.

Don graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1952 and went on to the University of Portland, graduating with a business degree in 1956. He married Anna Marie Duffy Nov. 24, 1956; the two recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary.

In the summer of 1947, before entering eighth grade, Don earned $600 as a worker bee at his family owned service station in Milwaukie. Although not old enough to have a drivers license, Don was adamant about buying a car. However, while he was there, he noticed a three-wheeled Cushman ice cream cart for sale. He drove it home and announced to his mother, I’m in the ice cream business! By the time he graduated from college, Don owned three ice cream carts, two popcorn wagons and was making $245 a month, which was not bad in those days. Don went legitimate after he graduated and took a job with Northwest Natural Gas, where he ultimately created his own position as director of promotions. Along with developing his own position, Don also fashioned his own dress code, no suit and tie, only fancy sweaters and his own personal set of rules. After a few years on the job, his creative promotion-advertising campaign for the All Natural Gas Street of Dreams where he lived on a billboard for two weeks in downtown Portland, won him a national award in 1989. With his persuasive nature, Don managed to sell his idea of converting part of the fourth floor of the Northwest Natural Gas building into a hospitality suite complete with a kitchen, full bar and sit down seating for 100 plus guests. Don was also the only person we know who was able to convince his boss the company needed a regulation sized, rainbow colored hot air balloon.

Don was an amazing man who knew how to show others a good time while having fun in the process. To try and make a list of all he will be remembered for is impossible. To name a few, the Rose Festival Debacle and Parade, camping on Government Island, 32nd Place block parties, his many years at Riverside Golf & Country Club, time spent with friends and his fierce love for family, Don has much to show for his 81 years. With that said, the family would like to say on behalf of Don, Is everyone having a good time? Say Yay Yay!

Don was preceded in death by his parents; oldest son, Mark Joseph; and sisters, Janelee and Margaret.

Survivors include his wife, Anna Marie; son, Don “D.G.” III (Tracy); daughters, Cathy, Tracy and Mary Beth; sister, Terry (Jeff); brother, Fred (Kathi); grandkids, Alex, Hailly, Adam, Taylor and Marcia (Josh); pretend grandkids, Nikki, Graham and Alisa; and great-grandkids, Araiya and Darrien.

A Mass of Christian burial will be preceded by a rosary at 10:30 a.m. with services at 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 26, 2016, at St. Mary Magdalene Church, 3123 N.E. 24th Avenue, Portland.

A private burial service will be held Wednesday, January 27, 2016, in Mount Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are welcome in the name of Don and Anna Marie Grahams Scholarship fund at Central Catholic High School. Thank you to everyone for all your prayers and support. He will be missed.

Mass of Christian Burial

Tuesday January 26, 2016 , 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Magdalene Church

Preceded by a rosary at 10:30 a.m.