James Graham

James Leroy Graham, 81, of Beebe, Arkansas, died Sunday, September 27, 2009. Leroy was born July 30, 1928, at Fitzhugh, Arkansas, to Lillian and Trudley Graham. During his fifty-plus-year career in steel fabrication, Leroy was the original builder of The Rides at Six Flags Over Texas, and the Reunion Tower in Dallas and Dallas Infomart. He retired from American Steel and Aluminum in Grand Prairie, Texas, retiring as Superintendent. Leroy was a member of Mars Hill Church of Christ. His honesty, integrity and work ethic earned him the respect and love of all who knew him. Leroy was a godly husband, father and friend. These accomplishments were second to his devotion to the love of his life, his wife of sixty-two years, Betty Riley Graham and his four children, Jobea Bittenbender (Terry) of Mesquite, Texas, Ginger Cottier (and her late husband Tom) of Beebe, James T. "Terry" (Jonelle) Graham of Beebe, and Susan Ann Graham of North Little Rock. From these four children, he is the proud grandfather of fifteen, and great-grandfather of twenty-four. He is also survived by his brother, Alfred Graham of Tennessee and countless nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.
Family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Westbrook Funeral Home, Beebe. Funeral will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 30, 2009, at Westbrook Funeral Home, with burial in Blasingame Cemetery.