Raymond “Leon” Graham November 21, 1946 - October 22, 2025

Raymond “Leon” Graham passed away peacefully with his wife and brother by his side on October 22, 2025, just shy of his 79th birthday. Born on November 21, 1946, in El Paso, Texas to Franklin Wayne and Estella LaVal Clayton Graham. Leon was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who embodied love, intelligence, and thoughtfulness in all aspects of his life.
Leon enjoyed growing up in Ysleta with his three brothers. He was a precocious child, as evidenced by his mother who would often connect him to the clothesline outside so he could run around, but not leave the yard. Many days were spent outdoors, running around, riding bikes, shooting guns, and playing with his many cousins and friends. But Leon could also often be found inside the house reading books while his dad was teaching his brothers how to fix cars and put things together. Leon was blessed to spend lots of time with his grandparents who would watch him and his brothers after school while both of their parents were working. Leon attended Ysleta Elementary and High School. He graduated high school with honors and was a member of the National Honor Society.
Leon was a loving husband to Pualani Graham, whom he was sealed to on June 3, 1969 in the Mesa Arizona temple. During their early years of marriage Leon graduated from Brigham Young University and the ROTC program. He went on to obtain his medical degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio and specialized in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He completed his residency and started his Air Force Career in San Antonio, Texas. After being in Texas for 8 years, he was then stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force base in Ohio and then decided to continue his education at Ohio State University where he completed a 3 year residency in only 2 years in Anatomical Pathology. After completion of his second residency he went back to Wright Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio for a few more years. Ultimately, he completed his 30 year career in the Air Force after being stationed for 13 years at Travis Air Force Base in California where he retired as a Colonel, after guiding and teaching hundreds of OB/GYN residents. He was very proud of his military service.
Leon was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. As a young man, Leon served a mission in the Mexico City Mission. It was there that he met his eternal companion. He continued to serve faithfully throughout his life as a bishop, Scoutmaster, gospel doctrine teacher, seminary teacher and as a senior missionary. Together, he and Pualani served as medical advisors for the Central America Mission from 2002-2004, and as Provo MTC missionaries. Leon also served as a temple worker in the Provo and Payson Temples, and loved working in the baptistry. Even in the last few years of his life, when he was unable to attend the temple, holding a current temple recommend was of the highest priority to him. He served because he had a strong testimony of the Gospel and loved the Savior.
Leon’s testimony of the Savior and his family were the most important things to him. His life was blessed by his four children, Kalani, Krista, Malia and Kekoa, his grandchildren and most recently by his great-grandson. No matter where Leon was or what he was doing, if he had his family with him, he was happy. He loved to build things with his kids, read books to his grandchildren, cross-stitch, play games with his boys, collect coins, put puzzles together with anyone who would help, and watch BYU football with Pualani. He will be greatly missed by his family and all those who knew him.
Leon lived the last two and a half years at the Central Utah Veterans Home where he was cared for by several kind and loving nurses, aides and caregivers. His family would like to thank all of them for the way they cared for and loved Leon, especially his hospice nurse, Theresa Echols. Kind actions speak volumes.
Leon is survived by his wife, Pualani Graham, and his children, Kalani (Michelle) Graham, Krista (Rusty) Hendrickson, and Kekoa (Melissa) Graham, 26 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. He is also survived by his brother Gary (Jeanette) Graham, and son-in-law, Dave Thurman. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Malia Thurman, and his brothers Don and Bruce Graham, as well as his parents.
Family and friends are invited to a visitation for Leon on Saturday, November 1, 2025, from 11:30-12:45 at the Elk Ridge 4th Ward, located at 259 East Alpine Drive, Elk Ridge, Utah, 84651. The funeral service will follow at the same location at 1:00 p.m. Leon will be laid to rest in Hawaii at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a donation to the Central Utah Veterans Home.