Theo Graham

Theo E. Graham, 93, of Winter Garden, passed away on July 25, 2019. He was born June 12, 1926 in Dodge County Georgia. He moved to Winter Garden when he was eight. Theo graduated from Lakeview High School in 1947

He was a United States Postal Service Carrier and Clerk retiring after 37 years.

Theo served his country as a member of the “Greatest Generation,” as coined by Tom Brokaw. He is a Navy veteran of World War II where he served our great country.

Theo has been very active in his civic duties for the betterment of Winter Garden since 1982. He served on City Commission for 20 years. He played an instrumental role in developing the town with many well-known projects, most notably the West Orange Trail. Theo also has served on The Planning and Zoning Board; Board of the Friends of Lake Apopka; and East Central Florida Regional Planning Council. He was recently the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the City of Winter Garden Pension Plan for General Employees.

Theo spearheaded the development of the Winter Garden Veterans Memorial Monument and passionately established the Winter Garden Memorial Day Service in 1993 as a means to honor the Winter Garden fallen soldiers – many whom he grew up with and knew personally. His research provided the list of fallen soldiers for the Memorial Monument in Veterans Memorial Park. These soldiers are honored at the Memorial Day Service that Mr. Graham has personally organized for 23 years.

Theo’s Christian faith has been the foundation of his life, he has been a faithful and active member of Vineland Road Christian Fellowship Church – formerly First Assembly of God Church for 70 years. His life of dedication and serving God, his family and his community are a testimony of a life well lived.

Throughout his career and retirement years, in addition to his many family and civic pursuits, his favorite hobby is fishing. In fact, he has probably fished every watering hole in the area.

Theo is survived by his wife, Daisy, his two children, Larry L. Graham and his wife Patricia, Sherri Steffen and her husband Gregg; his three grandchildren, Ashley Steffen, Gabriel Graham and Tripp Steffen; his three great grandchildren, Aiden, Eden and Colten Graham. His marriage to Daisy brought three step sons into his life, Paul, George and Sam Childers and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife of 52 years Mabel Jones Graham.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, July 28, 2019, from 2 until 5 pm in the Collison Carey Hand Funeral Home chapel. A funeral service will follow on Monday, July 29, 2019, at Vineland Road Christian Fellowship at 2 pm.