Howard Graham

Howard Eugene Graham Jr., commonly known as Gene to all of his family and friends, was called home to our Lord Thursday, September 5, 2019.  Gene was born in Levelland, Texas to Howard and Billie Graham on July 4, 1956.  He was preceded in death by his mother, Billie (Meme).

He is survived by his father, Howard Graham (Frandad) of Imperial; his brother, Dean (Susie) Graham of Imperial; his sister, Debbie (Albert) Esparza of Harlingen; and half-sister Loweva (Ike) Eubanks of Marshfield.  His world revolved around his three children who he fathered with Patty Mitchell: his oldest daughter, Sonia (Gerardo) Bustamantes of Imperial; his son, Joshua (Ashley) Graham of Odessa; and his youngest daughter, Trinicia (James) Watson of Odessa.  His beloved grandchildren include Gabriel (Marissa) Bustamantes of Odessa; Zachery (Makayla) Bustamantes of Imperial; and Dekota (Marlyn) Bustamantes of San Angelo.  His great-grandchildren include Kamron, Alyvia, and Elias Bustamantes of Odessa; Kimberlynn Watson of Odessa; Josiah and Bayleigh Bustamantes of Imperial; and Liam Bustamantes of San Angelo.  His nieces and nephews include Deanna, Jennifer, Brett, Michelle, and Juliann.

Gene moved to Imperial in 1969 because his father and a family cousin began buying leases in the oil and gas industry.  During the summers while he was in high school, he worked for Crawford Pulling Unit Services.  Upon graduating high school from Buena Vista I.S.D. in 1974, he worked for Williams Roustabout Services while pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Geology from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.  After completion of his bachelor’s degree, he began working as a petroleum geologist providing wellsite, geology, and mudlogging services.  In 1984, Gene decided to pursue his dream of owning his own oil and gas company named DGD Oil Company.  The past ten years, he worked alongside his son, Joshua, in the oilfield.  When the oilfield was booming, he was able to discover a new passion of owning race horses.  Gene’s other love was baseball.  He had been a die-hard St. Louis Cardinals fan from birth. He loved coaching his son’s little league and pony league baseball team in Monahans.  He always made it a point to make it to all of his children and grandchildren’s sporting adventures. Gene was a family man.  His favorite thing to do every year was spend his birthday renting the Imperial swimming pool and popping fireworks.  He adored spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  They were the light of his life.

Gene grew up attending the Church of Christ with his mother.  He chose to walk a different path, but was reconnected to our Lord and Savior by Ky Kirby and Steve Mullins.  Our family would like to offer a sincere thank you to Dr. Mavis for her care over our father.

A viewing will be held on Wednesday, September 11, 2019 at Harkey Funeral Home from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00-8:00 pm.  Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 12, 2019 at Harkey Funeral Home.  A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 14, 2019 in Springdale, Arkansas where we will fulfill his final wish of being laid to rest in the family cemetery next to his mother.  Services are under the direction of Harkey Funeral Home in Monahans, Texas.