Meet Jack Graham
John (Jack) Graham has come to live with us at Caring House. We are honored.
Jack was born in Memphis, TN, the first of four children of John Mark Graham Sr. and Eleanor Ball Evans. He was followed by Betty, Robert and Jayne.
In his youth, music and playing the trombone were favorite interests. He went to school in Carrizo Springs and Uvalde, TX. He graduated from Regan High School in Houston and received a degree in electrical engineering from University of Texas in Austin.
Jack served in the Navy stationed in San Francisco, teaching about radar systems.
Jack met Helen Powell, his future wife, at the San Antonio Unitarian Church. They had five children – John, Louise, Charles, Kathy, and Martha – and one grandchild. Their early married life was in San Antonio moving to California when Jack went to work for McDonnell Douglas as an electrical engineer.
During his 45 years at McDonnell Douglas, he is proudest of his work with TCAS (traffic collision avoidance systems), which is still the standard used today. He has chaired the TCAS International Committee.
While Jack has many interests including classical guitar, travel – domestic and international – and bird watching, mountain climbing is probably at the top. Moving to Southern California to work for Douglas Aircraft also meant that he would be close to the Sierra Nevada mountains where he could pursue his dream of learning to climb the Sierras. He has climbed many 14,000 foot peaks including Mt. Whitney and Mt. Shasta. Jack has been active with the Sierra Club and has instructed Basic Mountaineering Training Courses for them.
Very important to Jack is his involvement in the Unitarian Universalist Church. Active in social justice causes, Jack received an NAACP lifetime achievement award.
Most recently, Jack lived in the Lakewood Village area of Long Beach.
We are glad Jack is with us at Caring House. We look forward to caring for this kind, talented and accomplished man.
In Memoriam
Jack died on April 14, 2020. Honor him. Remember him.