Mark William Graham

'Nothing in the game is an accident' 'Mark Graham Funeral services will be held at a Mass of Christian Burial Monday, March 12, 2007 at 9:30 am at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist for Pvt. Mark William Graham, 22, who died Wednesday, March 7, 2007 at Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, TX. Rev. O. Joseph Breaux, Pastor of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church will be Celebrant of the Mass and conduct the services. Concelebrant will be Rev. P. Austin Leger, Pastor of St. Martin de Torres Church. Deacon Doug Melancon will assist. Maureen King, his godmother, and Robin Barry, his godfather, will be the readers. The gift bearers will include Ally Graham, Monique Graham, and Missy Barry. Eulogist will be Nick King. Tom Neil and Jodi Bollich will provide musical selections. Interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery. Pvt. Mark Graham, a native of Lafayette, was the son of Neil and Kim Graham. Mark 'MG 20-20' was a beloved husband, son, brother, uncle, nephew, grandson, son-in-law, and friend. He enjoyed spending time working on his golf game, writing and playing music, and watching movies. Mark was an American patriot. He strongly believed in the ideals and principles that define our country. He was a soldier in the United States Army, 1st Cavalry, 2nd Battalion, 2-5 scouts and was serving in Baghdad. During his high school years he was a member of the STM football team where he earned the title of All-State for his position. To know him was to love him. Survivors include his wife, Stephanie McElligott Graham of Lafayette; his parents, Neil and Kim Graham of St. Martinville; brothers, Peter Graham and wife Monique of Grand Coteau, LA, Steven Graham and wife Ally of Lafayette, John Graham of Lafayette; nieces and nephews, Jackson, Nicholas, Farrah, Camille, Jake and Samuel Graham; maternal grandparents, Francis and Mildred Barry of Lafayette; in-laws, Bill and Carla McElligott of Lafayette, Claire Lowry of Lafayette; brothers and sisters-in-law, Margaret Casey and husband Sean, Bill H. McElligott, Jr., and Allison McElligott all of Lafayette; and a host of family and friends. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Woodman and Esther Graham. The family requests that visiting hours be observed Sunday from 11:00 AM until 8:00 PM and will continue Monday from 8:00 AM until service time. A rosary will be prayed Sunday at 7:00 pm in the funeral home. Honorary pallbearers will include John Branch, Chris Barry, Bill McElligott Jr., Nick King, Eric King, Jacob Graham, Dan Barry, Josh Holden, Luke Dupont, Michael Marine, Aaron Beyt, Stephen Reed, J. C. Reed, Blaise Zuschlag and Sean Casey. The Family would like to thank the Army field medics and doctors in Baghdad, Iraq, the staff at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, the staff at Brooke Army Medical Center in Ft. Sam Houston, TX.,. Also Dr. Christopher White of BAMC, we are eternally grateful. Memorial Contributions can be made to the Mark W. Graham Scholarship Foundation, P. O. Box 80081, Lafayette, LA 70598

Mark William Graham

July 26, 1984 - March 7, 2007