Arthur F. Graham

MIDDLETON, WI — Arthur F. Graham, 89, of Middleton, WI, a man who so many have described as a friendly storyteller, received his greater calling on Monday, August 7, 2017.

He was born in Saginaw, MI on July 22, 1928, the son of Frank and Edna Graham.

He is survived by his wife and best friend, Joanne L. Graham (Otto), his daughter Rebecca and husband Rick Eland of Green Bay, WI, sons Steven and wife Diana of Savannah, GA, Thomas and wife Debbie of Madeira Beach, FL, and niece Cheryl Graham, grand-children Michael Eland, Matthew Graham, Kimberly Chu, Beth Lighthouse, Delaney Escher and many nieces, nephews and great grandchildren. He was predeceased by grandson Scott Eland.

Art was a successful career salesman with PPG and went on to own his own manufacturer’s representative business. He was a member of Rotary International, and his strength of character and willingness to engage with the people who entered his life, became a trademark of his personality. He found enjoyment in cooking, reading, the Green Bay Packers, and most of all, in sailing. His love of the water led Art and his first mate, Joanne, to buy a sailboat that was a spark for numerous excursions from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. His outgoing personality led him to volunteer with the Georgia Visitors’ Bureau into his 70s where he gave his time to make sure that the ‘GA State Welcome’ was real.

A self-taught cook, he loved preparing comfort food, and enjoyed mixing stories about his travels with brats, or a pot of chili and homemade bread, with family and visitors. He never remained idle; he drove his Moped motorcycle around Door County into his 70s, and embraced the internet to stay connected with family and friends on his iPad. He was also a fast friend who is credited with taking care of more than one neighbor in their time of need. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and of course the Green Bay Packers, for which he was an unofficial spokesman. A private family service will be held at a later date.

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