David Allan Graham, 77

David Allan Graham, 77, of Kalispell, took his last breath in the early morning hours of July 13, 2019 in Lummi Island, Washington. He was surrounded by his daughters. He cherished his Montana heritage, having been born and raised in beautiful small-town Kalispell. He spent much of his life in La Jolla, California.

After graduating from Kalispell’s Flathead High School, David made the move to Southern California and started hard labor tying rebar. He took a moment working for Buick and then had a long career in the steel industry, managing large projects. In the mid-‘80s he settled in La Jolla where he found his calling as the director of safety for Hensel Phelps Construction. He considered all he worked with as his second family and took many under his wing. This can be translated as teased mercilessly or listened to for hours without prejudice, or if you were lucky — both.

David had a lifelong love affair with huckleberry jam, all things peanut butter, flood pants, Buicks, white Tic-Tacs, Frank Sinatra, his 1974 Honda motorcycle, and knick-knacks, mostly from the Enchanted Crystal in San Francisco. He made it his mission to fill as many homes with blown glass from there as possible. He lovingly shared his “HP" swag with everyone that meant anything to him. He taught his kids and Boy Scouts the art of hooky bobbin. And he was an expert at falling asleep on the couch to movies from his collection of well organized 1,000-plus VHS tapes. (Yep. VHS.)

His four daughters were affectionately dubbed each the number of their birth order and responded to such numbers accordingly. Introductions would take place and each daughter knew the head bob to coincide with her number. The highlight of nearly 15 years was his extravagant San Francisco Sister Trips that he took with his girls.

David was adored by many and was a rock for his family. His grandchildren were the highlight of his life. He will be remembered as a strong, loving, integrity-driven, caring, and sometimes silly, fun, mischievous man. David loved people and enjoyed socializing with friends and strangers.

David is survived by his brother Michael (and Peggy) Huggins, his sister Patty Dwight, his four daughters, daughter number one-Julie, daughter number two-Jennifer, daughter number three-Cynthia, and daughter number four-Deborah, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Jim Huggins.

To honor our father, brother, son and friend a headstone dedication service will be held at the Fairview Cemetery on June 19, 2021, at 11 a.m. There will be a small gathering to celebrate his life with family and friends immediately following at Woodland Park.