Neil Graham Ii

Neil Douglas (Doug) Graham II of Grand Blanc
Age 80
Died Monday, November 2, 2020 at Genesys Health Park

Due to Covid 19 restrictions, a private Funeral Service will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 711 S. Saginaw St., in Flint. The Reverend Dan Sheid and Reverend Sue Colavincenzo will officiate. Burial to follow in Glenwood Cemetery. A celebration of Doug’s life will take place in the summer. Arrangements provided by Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Rd., Swartz Creek.

Neil Douglas Graham II was born July 19, 1940 in Jackson, Michigan the son of Neil Douglas Graham and Mary Louise (Porter) Graham. The family moved to Flint in 1943 from Jackson. Mr. Graham’s father died in action on February 2, 1945, in Prüm, Germany, in the Battle of the Bulge. Mary Louise married Clifford James of Flint in 1947. Clifford James adopted Doug as his son and retained the last name Graham to honor Doug’s father.

Mr. Graham attended Flint Central High School and graduated from Cranbrook School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in 1963 and earned his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Michigan Business School in 1964. Doug met his wife Natalie Ann (Phillips) Graham in Latin Class at Flint Central. They were married in Ann Arbor in 1960. He is preceded in death by his first wife Ann in August of 2002. Doug married longtime friend Janet Klein Swanson on February 7, 2009 in 2009 and shared an active life together unto his death.

Mr. Graham was the President and owner of James Lumber Company of Flint, Grand Blanc, Oxford and Ortonville. He was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, University of Michigan Alumni Association, Flint Golf Club, Sigma Chi Fraternity, the University Club and in many other organizations. Doug served as the president of Progressive Affiliated Lumbermen, Michigan Retail Lumber Dealers Association, and the University of Michigan Club of Greater Flint. He was inducted to the Flint Area Junior Achievement Businessperson Hall of Fame in 2001.

Doug was an all-state track and field athlete and put-the-shot at the University of Michigan. Mr. Graham was a charter member of the Victors Club and a devoted supporter of all Michigan athletics having attending hundreds of games. Doug was a student of history and traveled the world. Mr. Graham was a collector of flags and enjoyed visiting schools and retirement communities to share flag lore and history.

He is survived by his wife Janet Graham, son Neil Douglas Graham III and wife Linda (Warren), their children Neil Douglas Graham IV age 25 and Laura Elizabeth Graham age 22, daughter Jane (Graham) Jackett and husband Ronald James Jackett, their children Ronald James Jackett II age 28 and Thomas Graham Jackett age 25, son Robert James Graham and wife Melissa (Fitch) Graham and their children Elizabeth Ann Graham age 18, Lillian Malone Graham age 16, Robert James Graham II age 14, William Alexander Graham age 9 all of Grand Blanc, one sister Anne Samocki and husband Jim of Glen Arbor, MI. He leaves behind many family members and close friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Natalie Ann Graham.

Mr. Graham was dearly loved by Janet’s family. Linda and Anthony Mora, Greg and Theresa Swanson, Laurie and Scott Vicari, Mark and ReAnn Swanson, Richard and Colleen Swanson. They are blessed with 15 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make contributions to a scholarship fund in Ann’s honor at the University of Michigan-Flint. https://www.umflint.edu/alumni/remembering-doug-graham Contributions may also be made to Ennis Center for Children, who actively provide services to hundreds of youths in the Foster Care system including Doug’s grandson William who was a foster child. Online contributions can be made at https://www.enniscenter.org/, once you get to the website, click donate in the upper right corner. If you prefer to contribute by check you may send checks in care of Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Road, Swartz Creek, MI 48473.