Norman Ray Graham

Norman Graham, 87, of Kankakee passed away on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at Amita St. Mary’s Hospital. He was born on February 27, 1934 in Arkansas, the son of Troy and Beatrice (Johnson) Graham. He married Nida Patalinghug on January 27, 2013 in Kankakee. He worked at Economy Lamp Works in Chicago as foreman. Through hard work and the success he brought to the company, he was promoted to vice president and general manager before purchasing the business in 1985. He relocated the business along with his family to downtown Kankakee in 1989. He ministered for many years at 2 local nursing homes: Momence Meadows and Bourbonnais Terrace. He was devoted to his faith as a member of the Real Life Church of Kankakee. Norman was a servant of God who was dedicated to helping feed and serve anyone that lived in his community. He believed in leading by example and would give you the shirt off his back. He also actively donated his time to Fortitude Community Outreach in Kankakee. He is survived by his loving wife, Nida Graham; his children; Gary (Iris) Graham of Bradley, Tammy (Rod) Parchman of Cunningham, TN, Scott (Nicky) Graham of Kankakee; a daughter-in-law, Jan Graham-Fritz of Kankakee; 13 grandchildren, Jennifer (Nate) Stout, Melissa (Dave) O’Connor, Jessica (Kirk) Ogryzek, Dan Graham, Lauren (Anthony)Andre, Joshua Parchman, Tabitha Parchman, Caleb Parchman, Jesse Parchman, Miya (Andrew Petitgoue) Graham, Dylan Graham, Ethyn Graham, and Clayton Graham; 6 great grandchildren; Henry, Lassiyah, Lamere, Jaxson, Jamie, and Jayson; 3 step children, Anna Clay of IN, Darlyn Thurman of MS, and Janice Davis of CA. He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 49 years, Dorothy Graham (2002), his son; Terry Graham; his siblings, Leon Graham, Vena Quigley, Irma Schaeffer, Tom Graham; and a grandson, Benjamin Parchman. Visitation will be held Monday, July 12, 2021 from 4-7 pm at Real Life Church in Kankakee. Funeral services will be held at Real Life Church on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 from 10 am until the service at 11am, officiated by Rev. Rod Parchman. Burial will follow at Kankakee Memorial Gardens. In honor of Mr. Graham, please serve others as he would and pay it forward to your community while continuing to spread kindness. In honor of Mr. Graham the family is requesting you bring a donation of hygiene products for Fortitude Community Outreach in Kankakee County. Memorials may be made to the wishes of the family.