Paul Douglas Graham

Long-time Abilene resident Paul D. Graham passed away on Sunday, September 18, 2016. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 pm Wednesday, September 21, at First Christian Church with Dr. Don Wilson, Rev. Doug Roysden, and Dr. Landon Shultz officiating. Interment will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 20, 2016, from 5-7pm at the funeral home. Paul was born October 21, 1920 in Winters, Texas to Ruby and Sid Oliver Graham. At an early age Paul moved to San Angelo where he attended school, graduating from San Angelo High School in 1939. He graduated from Texas A&M in 1943 with a Bachelor of Science degree in geology. He supported the Abilene A&M Club and the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets. During World War II Paul served with the 9th Troop Carrier Command in the European Theater of Operations. After his discharge from the Army Air Corps in November 1945, he was associated with McAlister Trucking Company in Big Spring. He moved to Abilene and established a trucking business in 1947. He was President and General Manager of MATCO Trucking Company, with Texas terminals operating in Abilene, Big Spring, Dallas, Houston, Lufkin, Lone Star, and Odessa. He also operated terminals in Fontana, California and Birmingham, Alabama. Paul served two terms as President of the Oil Field Haulers Association in the early 1960's and also served as President of the Texas Motor Transportation Association, representing the truck and bus industry. Paul had a servant's heart and was an active member of First Christian Church of Abilene for over fifty years, serving as a Deacon and Elder. He donated the handbells at First Christian Church which were named the Bonnie Belle Handbells in honor of his deceased daughter. He was one of several church members who served Breakfast on Beach Street on the first day of its inception in 1996. He was chairman of the building expansion committee for First Christian Church that selected the building site for Brookhollow Christian Church. Then in 2001 he became a founding member of Wylie Christian Church, helping establish and financially supporting that new church start along with his wife Sara. He served as Elder Emeritus. He was a member of the Fiers-Brown Society of the Christian Church Foundation and supported Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth. He was a member of the Addison & Randolph Clark Society of TCU. Paul supported many charitable organizations with his resources, including the West Texas Rehabilitation Center, the Boys and Girls Clubs, Meals on Wheels, the Wylie Lions Club, Lake Brownwood Christian Retreat, and various volunteer fire departments in the Abilene and Midland areas. Additionally, he established scholarships at Brite Divinity School, Hardin-Simmons University, and McMurry University. He was a major donor of McMurry University's Walter and Virginia Johnson School of Business honoring his long-time friend and past president of First Financial Bank of Abilene. He was a charter member of the Suez Temple in San Angelo, a member of the Abilene Shrine Club, and a Master Mason of Hobah Lodge. Paul was a 32nd degree Mason and a Shriner for over seventy years. He was a member of the Brandon Carrell Society of the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Crippled Children. He also supported the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Galveston and Houston. Paul possessed a Midas touch in business endeavors. He farmed and ranched in Taylor and Midland counties for over fifty years. He supervised his oil and gas interests. Paul was a Director of the First National Bank of Abilene, now known as First Financial Bank, from 1975-1994. He built and operated FM 707 Self-Storage. In addition, he was also an Underwriter for Lloyds of London. His passions were hunting quail with his dogs at his Midland ranch and hunting deer at his ranch in Mason, flying his airplane to Ruidoso, New Mexico to watch the horse races at Ruidoso Downs, and entertaining family and friends at his home in Ruidoso. He was an excellent dancer and possessed a beautiful baritone voice. He raised Santa Gertrudis and Red Angus cattle in the Abilene area and engaged in farming and ranching operations until his death. Paul was preceded in death by his first wife DeAlva McAlister Graham, his daughter Bonnie Belle Graham, and his son Douglas Graham. Survivors include his wife Sara Hudman Graham of 18 years, a daughter Cherrie Preston, a step-son Dr. E. Victor Hudman II (Hollie), a step-daughter Linda Hudman Aldrich (Matt), eleven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to First Christian Church, 1420 North 3rd Street, Abilene, TX 79601; Wylie Christian Church, 6250 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene, TX 79606; or to the donor's favorite charity.