Rusty Graham

Visitation:
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
6:00 PM until 8:00 PM


Service:
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
10:00 AM
First Baptist Church
Waxahachie, TX 75165



James Elvin (Rusty) Graham

Rusty passed away Saturday, February 24, 2007 at Baylor Hospital in Dallas after a sudden illness. He was born April 21, 1953 in Texas City, Texas to Bobby Frank Graham and Mary Louise Taylor. He was preceded in death by his father, Bob, and his mother-in-law Jo Griffin.

Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Nelda, his mother Mary Graham Lowrance, his children Ginger and Scott Clinton, and Greg and Becky Graham. Other survivors include his beloved grandchildren Jacob, Peyton, and Cade. He is also survived by his brother Bobby Graham, Jr. and wife Brenda, nephew Sean Graham and wife Laura, nephew Jon Graham and wife Ericka, and several great nieces and a great nephew.

Affectionately known as either Dad Dad or Pop, Rusty was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and son. Throughout his life, he always put the welfare of his family above himself. His favorite times were family gatherings regardless of the location. He loved traveling, fishing, hunting, outdoor cooking, and quiet meals with his wife. He and his é�"Cinderellaé�" were blessed to travel together for the past 11 years. His children and grandchildren joined them in their travels during the past 3 years. He always had a small garden in his backyard and loved giving away his tomatoes to those who enjoyed them. He loved cooking fish and giving away his catch. He was a man who quietly went about his tasks and never wanted the spotlight. He preferred his acts of charity and kindness to be low profile, often even anonymous. At an early age with his first illness, he was told that he might not grow old. But through the years and regardless of his trials, the sun came up every morning and it was always é�"business as usual.é�" He always adapted to the situation at hand and just wanted everyone to be happy about doing their part and being a team player. He always believed in giving people their roses while they were still living.

His first self-employed business was landscaping and installing fencing and sprinkler systems. He did this until his first illness. Then for the next 20 years, he became a well know realtor in this area, nationally, and internationally. He was a top producer several years in a row having honored with numerous awards. He was always humble about receiving them. Some of his most recent honors include:

Top Producing Agent in the Southwest Dallas county office of Coldwell Banker for several
Years in a row
#2 Team for Units sold and Listingssold for all of NRT (Coldwell Bankeré�'s parent company)
for 2006
#4 Team Internationally for Coldwell Banker for 2006
Names to the REAL Trends/Wall Street Journal é�"Real Estate Top 200é�"
International Presidenté�'s Premier for Coldwell Banker for the last 11 years
He also had 2 other businesses: the RV Storage and Rustyé�'s Car Wash. His Saturday morning fun times were é�"tinkeringé�" at the car wash and handing out free tokens to the customers that were there.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Waxahachie, MetroTex Association of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, WCR, DeSoto Chamber of Commerce, Ducks Unlimited, Family Motor Coach Association, Good Sam, Texans on Safari, and a past member of the Waxahachie Country Club.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

The family will receive friends and relatives 6-8 Tuesday at the Wayne Boze Funeral Home. The Celebration of Life will be 10 AM Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at the First Baptist Church, Waxahachie with interment following in the City Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Kenneth Bateman, Charles Bateman, Layne Shinpaugh, DWayne Shinpaugh, Jarrett Pendley and Robert Brumit.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sims Library, First Christian Day School, First Baptist Church Building Fund, or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Wayne Boze Funeral Home.
www.waynebozefuneralhome.com