David Ryan Graham

Mr. David Ryan Graham, age 74, of Murray, Kentucky, passed away, Monday, May 22, 2023, at the Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House in Murray, Kentucky.

Mr. Graham was born in Murray, Kentucky on July 7, 1948, to the late James Ryan Graham and Christine Blakley Graham. He retired as the Vice President of Maintenance at Paschall Truck Lines and was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Murray, Kentucky, where he severed on various committees including the Board of Trustees.

He graduated from College High in 1966 and enrolled in Murray State University. His studies were interrupted by his service in the United States Army where he flew helicopters in Vietnam. He later graduated from Murray State University with a degree in Urban Planning. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity and was involved with the organization as an alumnus, for which he won several awards.

He served as City Manager of Hickman, Ky and then returned to Murray where he co-owned Scott Drugs and Allison’s Hallmark with his father-in-law. He began his career at Paschall Truck Lines in the early 80’s.

Mr. Graham was very devoted to community service. He helped begin “Christmas in the Park,” which continues to this day. He was a former Racer Club President, acted as Murray Calloway County Chamber of Commerce President, was president of the Murray Country Club, was on the Kentucky Motor Carrier Advisory Committee, and was Chairman of the Kentucky Motor Transportation Association. He was well-known throughout the national transportation industry.

He was on the Murray Planning Commission, and was a founding member and the current Chairman of the Economic Development Cooperation (EDC) of Murray.  Mr. Graham was also a founding member and was the current Chairman of the Industrial Development Association (IDA).

He was very involved in the construction of the new bridges over Kentucky and Barkley lakes, acting as Chairman of the Twin Bridges Advocacy Committee (TPAC). He led the effort to make the bridges architecturally appealing with the “basket handle” design and walkway.

Mr. Graham was a founding member of BancKentucky and the Murray Bank and served on the Board of Directors of the Murray Bank from its beginning in 1999 until his death. He served as Chairman of the Building Committee, Chairman of the Marketing Committee, and served on the Executive Committee. He was also instrumental in advocating for the Murray Bank sponsorship and the expansion of Murray’s fireworks on the 4^th of July. He was very patriotic and loved his country and this community.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Jerry Don Graham.

He is survived by his wife, Rosemary Scott Graham of Murray, Kentucky, to whom he was married on June 29, 1973, in Murray, Kentucky. They were one month shy of their 50^th anniversary; one daughter, Allison Ryan Graham Chapman and husband Jason of Murray, Kentucky; one grandchild, Mary Kate Chapman of Murray, Kentucky; two step-grandchildren, Samuel Chapman and Maxwell Chapman; one brother-in-law, John Scott, Jr. of Memphis, Tennessee. He is also survived by a nephew, Tim Graham; and two nieces LaDon Berlin and Kristi Hopkins.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 27, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church in Murray, Kentucky. Burial will follow in the Murray City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 27, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church in Murray, Kentucky.

Pallbearers will be Steve Andrus, Terry Hart, John Fuqua, Jeff Taylor, Joe Ward, Dave Hornback, Sam Chapman and Max Chapman.

Honorary pallbearers will be Mark Manning and the Board of the Economic Development Cooperation; and Bob Hargrove, Ronnie Gibson and the Board of Directors at The Murray Bank.

Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House, 803 Poplar Street, Murray, Kentucky 42071, the Paducah NICU, C/O Baptist Health Foundation, 2501 Kentucky Ave, Paducah Kentucky 42002 (in honor of his granddaughter who was born prematurely and benefitted from their services) or to the Humane Society of Calloway County, 607 Poplar Street, Suite A, Murray, Kentucky 42071.

Online condolences can be made at, www.jhchurchill.com