Obituary
Dave Graham, 62, was received into heaven on April 4, 2024. God's arms were wide open as He welcomed Dave into eternity.
Dave was born in March 1962 and raised in Manlius, IL, by his loving parents. He grew up with his sister, many cousins, and friends within the small Manlius community.
At ten years old, Dave knew he wanted to fly airplanes. His parents fostered that desire, and when Dave did well in school, they rewarded him with an airplane ride or a flight lesson. Many in his small high school thought his dream of becoming a pilot was unattainable, but Dave had one goal: to become a pilot and fly big planes.
He worked hard at his schoolwork, graduated salutatorian from Manlius High School in Manlius, IL, and was accepted into the University of Illinois's aviation program in 1980. In his last year (1984), he transferred to Purdue University in Layfette, IN, as the University of Illinois program did not have a BS degree then. Dave worked at Illinois Valley Regional Airport in Peru, IL, Whiteside County Airport in Rock Falls, IL and Air Midwest in Kansas City, KS.
Dave was hired as a pilot at American Airlines in 1989, was at the ORD base for 24 years, and transferred to the MIA base in August 2015. He loved flying airplanes and the beauty he saw from the flight deck windows.
Dave, his wife, and son lived in Lake in the Hills, IL, for twenty-two years before moving to Parkland, FL, in August 2015.
Dave met his wife, Becky, at Willow Creek Community Church, and they married in the chapel in September 1993. They attended Willow for many years and were involved in the children's ministry, Promiseland, and other ministries at the South Barrington, IL, campus. They welcomed their son into their family while attending Willow.
The family became part of Springbrook Community Church, Huntley, IL, in 2007. After moving to South Florida, they attended Parkridge Church in Coral Springs, FL, and started attending Church by the Glades, Coral Springs, FL, in 2018 at the Saturday night service.
In 2019, Dave began serving with the Hope South Florida Shared Meals program at Christ Church, Pompano Beach, FL. Next, he served at Christ Church, Parkway Campus, making breakfast for the homeless and low-income community every Sunday, and became the leader of the breakfast. Becky joined him in serving breakfast. He also served every week at the Blessings Food Pantry on the Parkway Campus. Everyone at Parkway loved Dave's calm presence, administration skills, and leadership of volunteers. A memorial fund is set up in Dave's honor to continue the ministry of Christ Church – Parkway Campus.
Every Sunday, Dave would tell the volunteers, "Today's a great day to serve God's people!"
Dave loved his wife of thirty years and loved telling everyone they were celebrating their thirtieth wedding anniversary. When people asked for the secret to thirty years, he said, "God at the center of your life and great communication with your wife!"
Dave will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. He did not talk much, but when he spoke, he spoke with wisdom, thoughtfulness, and gentleness. Dave had the best sense of humor, which many, especially his wife, appreciated. Dave always gave everyone around him a sense of calmness but he hated when his things were messy or out of order. Dave loved eating his favorites: sausage/mushroom pizza, hot dogs with sweet relish, peanut butter/jelly sandwiches, chocolate chip cookies and anything chocolate. He loved to laugh at himself. He and his wife often commented, “Why are you not more like me?” when they disagreed. They quickly resolved the conflict when they saw it from each other’s point of view.
Dave is survived by his wife, Becky (Carter), and his son. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Marilyn Graham. He is survived by his sister, Nancy Beanblossom; a niece, two nephews, and several great nieces and nephews in Oak Ridge, TN; in-laws, Bob and Betty Carter (Delta, Ohio), Connie (Bill) Burcin, Ellen (Mike) Thompson, Mary (Bruce) Mohler, and Beth (Mike) Baun along with many nieces and nephews in Ohio; and many friends and family in Bureau County, IL.
A celebration of life for Dave will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, at Church By the Glades, 400 Lakeview Drive in Coral Springs, FL.
Another celebration of Dave's life will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 3, at Springbrook Community Church, 10115 W. Algonquin Road, Huntley, IL.
A private burial will be at Manlius Cemetery where Dave will be buried next to his parents.
His wife, Becky, has asked for no flowers. Instead, please make donations to the Dave Graham memorial at Christ Church—Parkway Campus.
Please donate at this link.
https://www.kindridgiving.com/App/Form/e5ca32c6-a2a0-4f0b-b564-310643c1a9f7