James E. Graham Jr.

March 1, 1943-Sept. 27, 2014

James Edward Graham Jr. of Homer, 71, died surrounded by family at Alaska Native Medical Center on Sept. 27, 2014, in Anchorage. 

“To the best man we’ve ever known. How do you sum up an amazing life in a few short paragraphs? Simply impossible. We are sure going to try, Dad,” his family said.

Jimmy was born March 1, 1943, at Providence Hospital in Anchorage, the celebrated only child of Mary Irene Johnson Graham of Haines and James Edward Graham Sr. of Lead, S.D. Jimmy spent the majority of his life residing in Homer, a lifelong fisherman, hunter and boat captain who loved all things that involved the Alaska outdoors. Through young adulthood he fished the family boats, the Mary G. and the J Boy, alongside his family. Jimmy joined the U.S. Navy in 1961 and proudly served in the Seabees for six years. He then worked many years for City Electric and Glacier State Telephone Company as a lineman in Anchorage and on the Kenai Peninsula. He then joined Crowley Maritime and retired from there as a respected tug boat captain. 

“Jimmy was always known for his humor, as he had the uncanny ability to walk into a room, and soon after it erupted into laughter. His charisma was renowned by everyone who met him. He could always be counted on to be a man of honor and made friends wherever he went. A hopeless romantic at heart, Jimmy had multiple unions, some of which were celebrated,” his family said. “Anchors aweigh, my boys.”

Jimmy is survived by children Kurtis, David, Nikki and Darla Graham; granddaughter, Kaydence Korevec, and dog Sugar.

He was predeceased in death by his son, James Edward Graham III.

Jimmy’s ashes will be spread between 60 Foot and Gull Rock in Kachemak Bay, as is Graham family tradition. He will also have a plaque placed at the Seafarers Memorial on the Homer Spit.

The family plans to have a celebration of life and spreading of ashes in the summer of 2015.