Otis Graham

MSgt. Otis Graham 1930-2015 MSgt. Otis Graham, USAF, (Ret) was born on September 25, 1930, in Wardville, Florida. The youngest child of Fred & Harriot Graham, he spent his youth running the fields of Walnut Hill, Florida, picking cotton for $.05 a row, swiping watermelons, and walking to school uphill both ways, barefoot, in the snow. Yes, in Florida. After graduating from Earnest Ward School, he joined the Army for a couple of years before deciding he’d try something else. He ended up in Detroit where he met a pretty lady and, on their first date, offered her a hamburger or a Coke, he couldn’t afford both. Realizing this wouldn’t work, he enlisted in the Air Force and he and the lady, Betty, married in San Antonio, Texas. A year later, in Reno, Nevada, his first daughter, Deborah (Debi) came along. Otis became part of the Air Force Search and Rescue community, moving up the ranks and around the world--Alabama, Germany, Ethiopia, Turkey, Arizona, Vietnam, Panama City, Florida (where daughter, Dana, joined the family), and the Panama Canal Zone. Among his many awards, Otis received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star and the Air Medal. Otis retired to Pensacola, Florida, in 1972 after 21 years in the military. He spent the next 20 years at NAS Pensacola and Pensacola Naval Hospital in Public Works. Then joined Air Design until he permanently retired in 2006. After his first wife passed away, Otis met his new love, Peggy, and they have enjoyed driving the roads of the US and living with wonderful friends in the Bob Hope Village in Ft. Walton Beach, FL. Otis-Poppy-OO’s family is a mix of blood and heart members, and he loved them all the same. His loving wife, Peggy. Daughters Debi, Dana (Derrick) and Tracy (Kenny). The grandchildren he was so proud of: Glendae (Jim), Michael, Crystal, Pam, Colby (Kassie), Ciara (Carl), Cameron, and AJ. Meeting him in heaven will be a huge Graham clan, Betty, Brenda, Darrell, Gary, Benny and Denise. Left to miss him are his “brothers” - Bo (Nina), Bud, Wayne and Rob. His sisters, Luverne and Sue (Charlie). His friends from Bob Hope/Teresa Villages and Central Baptist Church. And so many others…know that he loved you all. Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. with funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South with Rev. Dr. James Qurollo officiating. Interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery with full military honors. FAITH CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME SOUTH, 100 Beverly Pkwy is in charge of arrangements. You may express your condolences online at www.fcfhs.com

Tributes

Otis Graham

September 25, 1930 - November 5, 2015