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Daniel (Dan) Graham, Jr.
b. Feb 21, 1944
d. Sep 23, 2011 at Atlanta, GA
Published: Atlanta Journal - Constitution, Sept. 26, 2011
Dan was born in Decatur, Georgia on February 21, 1944 to the late Daniel A Graham Sr., and Edna Hayes Graham. He graduated from Henry Grady High School with honors and was a star athlete on the football team. He later graduated from Georgia Tech with honors as the top Industrial Management student in the Class of 1966. Dan's distinguished Military Service included Front Line Military Service in 1967 and 1968 with 5th Special Forces Group (Green Beret) in Vietnam, rising to the rank of Captain Airborne and Ranger Qualified. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. He graduated from Harvard Business School in the upper third of the Class of 1971 with a MBA in Finance and Real Estate. Dan began his career in commercial real estate in 1972, and later co-founded LaVista Associates, Inc. during his successful career. Dan met his wife-to-be, Lila, in real estate brokerage school and was married soon thereafter on September 29, 1976. Together Dan and Lila founded Graham Commercial Realty, Inc. in 1993. Over the years Dan received many prestigious real estate awards including a Permanent Life Membership in the Realtors Million Dollar Club and the Phoenix Award. Dan was an avid collector and had many interests and collections of stamps, coins, and war memorabilia. He enjoyed trains as a model railroader, and he loved his Labrador Retrievers. Dan lived happily together with his wife, Lila, for thirty-five years at their home in North Atlanta until his untimely passing on September 23, 2011. He is survived by his loving wife Lila Graham of Sandy Springs, GA; brother and sister in-law Phil R. & Louise Graham; sister Anne Graham Miller; nieces Carol McDaniel, Tracey Tran; nephews Dr. Richard Graham, and Michael Miller. Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at Patterson's Arlington Chapel. Interment will follow at Arlington Memorial Park. The family will receive friends this evening Monday, September 26, 2011 from 6 to 8 PM at H.M. Patterson & Son Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen RD NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. 404-851-9900. Please visit www.hmpattersonarlington.com to send tributes and to view Dan's video tribute.
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Linda Burdine (Price)
I remember when Dan moved to Sherwood Forest Subdivision on Friar Tuck Road in the 10th grade. He had transferred from Decatur High School and we became friends. He was an amazing and wonderful guy. He was so kind and so nice to everyone with a positive spirit. I think he found a real home at Grady High School and I was glad he was with us. He was a little more mature than I was, but he did write in my yearbook that he knew he had a friend in me because I always honked when I passed his house. (That was a whole lot of honking going on, because in those days we were driving around a lot)
I remember his playing halfback (it was called then) on the football team and being a committed student. He had a dry sense of humor and a love of this country. After Grady he met his wonderful Lila and her wonderful hats :) and she was the light of his life. If he had lived, he would have been working on our 50th Reunion like he had done so many Reunions before.
I was in New Orleans with college friends when he died and I could not go to his funeral, but I went to St Louis Cathedral and lite a candle for him. When I returned from the church, it was announced that the Catholic Bishop has just died and would be buried in that cathedral the next week . Funny how things happen. I wish I could have been there with Dan's family and friends to grieve. I know we will all miss him. Linda Burdine Price March , 2012
Lila Graham
Dan was the greatest husband in the world, and the greatest mentor and business partner to me! We were very happily married for 37 years, and I can't express how much I miss Dan in my life! Please contact me - I want to stay in touch with all of you! Lila Graham, April 2012