James Jon Graham, 59, of Petoskey, Michigan passed away peacefully on Monday, October 17th, 2022 surrounded by loving family and friends after an incredibly courageous battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. The son of Dale and Wanda (Crandall) Graham, Jim was born in Petoskey, Michigan on June 21st, 1963. Jim graduated from Petoskey High School in 1981. While in high school Jim met the love of his life, Nannette (Niswander) Graham. After dating for four years, they married on September 3, 1983. The couple enjoyed over 41 loving years together.
Jim and Nan lived briefly in Petoskey, Michigan before moving to San Antonio, Texas where Jim worked for Avis Rent-a-Car. In 1987 Jim and Nan moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan where Jim earned his bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology from ITT Technical Institute. Upon graduating college, Jim worked for Bennett Pump Company as an applications engineer. In 1990 they welcomed their twin daughters, Courtney and Lauren, to the family. In 1995 they returned to Northern Michigan and welcomed their final addition, Trevor.
Upon returning to Northern Michigan, Jim worked for Memory Lane Systems which was eventually purchased by Constellation Software. Jim dedicated 28 years of employment as a data analyst with Constellation Software where he forged many friendships with colleagues. Outside of work Jim loved spending time with his family and friends on Walloon Lake, bird watching, listening to rock and roll music and enjoying his Northern Michigan home.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Milton “Dale” and Wanda (Crandall) Graham; father and mother-in-law, Leonard and Nancy (Poole) Niswander; brother-in-law, Charles “Chuck” Converse; and dear friend, MaryAnn Jeffrey.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Nannette “Nan” (Niswander) Graham; children, Courtney (Andrew) Cheadle, Lauren (John) Bennett, and Trevor Graham (Veronica Powell); grandchildren, Lilah Graham, Mia Bennett, Morgan Bennett, and Harper Cheadle; siblings, Brooke Converse and Duane (Judy) Graham; and many nephews, nieces, and dear friends.
Donations in Jim’s memory may be made to McLaren Homecare & Hospice of Petoskey, the Susan Mast Foundation, or the ALS Association: Michigan Chapter.
A visitation will take place on October 22, 2022 at Stone Funeral Home at 1:00pm. A memorial service officiated by Pastor Sherry McGuffin will follow at 2:00pm. Burial will immediately follow the memorial service at Greenwood Cemetery.
Arrangements are in the care of Stone Funeral Home, Inc. of Petoskey.
Posted online on October 19, 2022
Published in Petoskey News-Review
James Jon Graham, 59, of Petoskey, Michigan passed away peacefully on Monday, October 17th, 2022 surrounded by loving family and friends after an incredibly courageous battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. The son of Dale and Wanda (Crandall) Graham, Jim was born in Petoskey, Michigan on June 21st, 1963. Jim graduated from Petoskey High School in 1981. While in high school Jim met the love of his life, Nannette (Niswander) Graham. After dating for four years, they married on September 3, 1983. The couple enjoyed over 41 loving years together.
Jim and Nan lived briefly in Petoskey, Michigan before moving to San Antonio, Texas where Jim worked for Avis Rent-a-Car. In 1987 Jim and Nan moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan where Jim earned his bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology from ITT Technical Institute. Upon graduating college, Jim worked for Bennett Pump Company as an applications engineer. In 1990 they welcomed their twin daughters, Courtney and Lauren, to the family. In 1995 they returned to Northern Michigan and welcomed their final addition, Trevor.
Upon returning to Northern Michigan, Jim worked for Memory Lane Systems which was eventually purchased by Constellation Software. Jim dedicated 28 years of employment as a data analyst with Constellation Software where he forged many friendships with colleagues. Outside of work Jim loved spending time with his family and friends on Walloon Lake, bird watching, listening to rock and roll music and enjoying his Northern Michigan home.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Milton “Dale” and Wanda (Crandall) Graham; father and mother-in-law, Leonard and Nancy (Poole) Niswander; brother-in-law, Charles “Chuck” Converse; and dear friend, MaryAnn Jeffrey.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Nannette “Nan” (Niswander) Graham; children, Courtney (Andrew) Cheadle, Lauren (John) Bennett, and Trevor Graham (Veronica Powell); grandchildren, Lilah Graham, Mia Bennett, Morgan Bennett, and Harper Cheadle; siblings, Brooke Converse and Duane (Judy) Graham; and many nephews, nieces, and dear friends.
Donations in Jim’s memory may be made to McLaren Homecare & Hospice of Petoskey, the Susan Mast Foundation, or the ALS Association: Michigan Chapter.
A visitation will take place on October 22, 2022 at Stone Funeral Home at 1:00pm. A memorial service officiated by Pastor Sherry McGuffin will follow at 2:00pm. Burial will immediately follow the memorial service at Greenwood Cemetery.
Arrangements are in the care of Stone Funeral Home, Inc. of Petoskey.
Posted online on October 19, 2022
Published in Petoskey News-Review