Roger William Graham, 84

Roger William Graham, Hungry Horse, received his heavenly diploma graduating from this life into heaven on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2020, at 9:05 p.m. He was at his home, “Peaceful Pines,” after a brief struggle with heart and kidney complications. His departure was gentle and peaceful with his wife Darlene, daughter Dani, and son Doug at his bedside.

Roger was born on Sept. 11, 1935, in Tacoma, Washington, to parents Donald Stuart and Dorothy Hannah (Zimmerman) Graham. Roger and his older sister, Gretchen (Shilling) grew up in a naval family in New London and Gales Ferry, Connecticut. Roger’s father passed away from cancer in 1948, followed by his mother, who passed away from polio in 1953.

Roger graduated high school from Norwich Free Academy in 1954, then enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving aboard the USS Irex SS 482, a World War II fleet submarine, earning the rank of E5 SS torpedoman 2nd class. During his years of active duty Roger enjoyed his travels to places such as Bermuda and the Mediterranean Sea, which included ports in Spain, Italy, Lebanon, and Tangier, North Africa. Other memorable military travels took him to Paris and Austria where he fell in love with skiing.

After receiving an honorable discharge from the Navy, Roger moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota, to be close to the families of his twin uncles, Dr. Charles Graham and Dr. John Graham. Roger enrolled at the University of North Dakota, earning a bachelor’s degree in education. It was during this time that Roger married Barbara Ann Lilleberg in 1958 and their son, Donald Stuart Graham, was born on Oct. 1, 1959. In 1960, yearning to live in the mountains, Roger and family moved to Kalispell where he taught at Evergreen School until 1968. While in Kalispell, son, Douglas Miles was born in 1964, followed by daughter, Danielle “Dani” Lou who was born in 1967.

Feeling the desire to invest himself in the lives of Native American students, Roger took a teaching position in Poplar, Montana, in 1968. Then an opportunity came for Roger to participate in a new Master of Education program at the University of North Dakota, returning the family to Grand Forks. In addition to his graduate studies, Roger taught at Washington School where he influenced students both in the classroom and also in the gymnasium where Roger played floor hockey with students.

In 1974, the call of the Big Sky of Montana resulted in the family returning to Kalispell where Roger served as principal of Lakeside School (K-8) until 1980. Roger took a hiatus from teaching for a number of years and sold insurance with Farmer’s Union, but then returned to the classroom, teaching in Marion and in Whitefish. Roger spent his final 10 years of teaching in Alaska, communities that included Alukanuk, Pilot Station, and Mountain Village. His love for native Eskimo students was evident by his creative and personal approach to teaching in the classroom, as well as the many things he did with students outside the classroom, which, of course, included introducing native Alaskan kids to the game of floor hockey. Roger retired from teaching in 2000.

In 2004, Roger married Darlene Shero and together they enjoyed semi-retirement, both driving school bus for the Whitefish Public Schools. Their beautiful property and log home in Hungry Horse, affectionately called “Peaceful Pines,” has been a family gathering place where kids and grandkids have enjoyed the hot tub, horse shoes, fire pit, and sleeping in the Winnebago.

Roger was raised in the Methodist church and later he and Barb raised their three children in the Lutheran church. In the summer of 1979, Roger was deeply impacted by the charismatic movement that swept into the Flathead Valley, and for many years he participated in the charismatic Catholic Crusillo movement, in particular retreats that took place in the Montana State Prison. Roger was a member of the Kalispell Christian Center (Assemblies of God) and served on the church board for many years.

Roger is survived by his wife Darlene of Hungry Horse; sister Gretchen (Charles) Shilling of McLean, Virginia; son Doug (Vicki Ballenger) Graham of Minneapolis, Minnesota; daughter Danielle “Dani” (Randy) Burtsfield of Kalispell; daughter-in-law Jana (Rundell) Graham of Kalispell; stepdaughter Michelle (David) Williams of Spokane, Washington; stepson Brian Klem of San Antonio, Texas; grandsons Dustin Graham, Tanner Graham, Kyle Graham, Kirk Graham, and Kaleb Graham; granddaughters, Paisley Miles, Erica Smithman, Karlee Graham, Grace Burtsfield, and Annie Burtsfield; stepgranddaughters, Sierra Williams, Cevanah Williams; stepgrandsons, Derick Morales, and Devin Klem; three great-grandsons and seven great-granddaughters, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Donald Stuart Graham and Dorothy Hannah (Zimmerman) Graham and his son, Donald Stuart Graham.

Roger Graham will always be remembered by his family and friends as one who lived life to the fullest. His magnetic personality and energetic approach to life left an indelible mark on every person he spent time with. The foundation of Roger’s Christian faith was set aflame and deepened in his midlife years which served as his North Star guiding him and his family through the years, all in preparation for the great heavenly reward he received on Easter Sunday evening.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for the family. Donations in Roger’s memory can be made to the Salvation Army or to the Whitefish Hockey Association. A Christian celebration of Roger’s life will take place this summer.