John Graham, 81, of Charlottesville, VA died on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at Hospice House, Charlottesville, Virginia. He was born on October 29, 1930 in New York City, NY to John and Edna Graham. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Edna Graham, his twin brother Henry Graham, his sister Mary Witkowski and his first wife, Carol Friend Graham. Always full of intellectual curiosity, John loved learning and sharing what he knew with others. While a student at Flushing High School he edited a literary art magazine, wrote a humor column for the school newspaper and earned the highest service award as a volunteer for many activities. John enrolled in City College in New York but interrupted his studies to join the Air Force. In the Air Force he became certified as a cryptanalyst and was stationed in Japan during the Korean War. He loved the Japanese people and often reminisces about his time there. He earned The Commendation Medal for Outstanding Service over highly classified matters. Upon discharge from the Air Force, John obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from City College in New York. He obtained his Masters in Entomology from Cornell University and his Ph.D. in Entomology from NC State University in Raleigh NC. Following graduation he was employed by NC State conducting research in the Entomology Department. While at NC State John became interested in the rapidly developing world of computers and became a programmer after teaching himself several computer languages of the time. He was the first to develop a program for evaluating property that was used by surveyors and attorneys. He was employed by the Environmental Protection Agency in the Research Triangle in NC where he developed sophisticated software to identify hundreds of atmospheric carbons at the same time. In Raleigh, John met his wife, Carol, a nursing instructor at Rex Hospital School of Nursing. They raised two children; a son Preston Robert and a daughter, Suzanne Carol. John lost his wife Carol to cancer in 1987. The following year, he became reacquainted with Pat, an old friend of the family and teaching colleague of Carol’s. They married and continued to live in Raleigh. Always involved in community affairs, John was active in the local Advisory Council for the City of Raleigh. John and Pat moved to Augusta Georgia in 1990. John continued his love of sharing knowledge and taught biology at the high school and college levels. He taught home-schoolers who needed quality education in science with laboratory experiences. Seeking opportunities for community service, John became active in the local “Adopt a Stream” program and became the coordinator for Columbia County. He worked tirelessly in the analysis of the local water supplies whether it involved wading in the streams in December or training others for the task. In 2007 he received an award from the state of Georgia for his outstanding work in developing the Adopt a Stream Program in Columbia County. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Brown Graham, a son, Preston Graham and his wife Ann, a daughter Suzanne Slingluff and her husband Frederic, a stepson Mark Wutka and his wife Mary Linda, grandchildren Harry and Dana Graham and Carolyn and Thomas Slingluff. In addition he has 6 step grandchildren and 3 step great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. John never met a stranger! Always friendly and outgoing he would constantly seek to make others happy with a friendly greeting or a joke. He shared freely and was always willing to give to those in need. He showed genuine caring for everyone and for all living things from the tiniest insect or weed to the dearest of family members. He gave extraordinary attention to his mother and his mother-in-law in their declining years. He is dearly loved by his wife, children and grandchildren and all of his extended family and we will miss him very much. The family would like to express special thanks to Hospice of the Piedmont and the Hospice House of Charlottesville, Martha Jefferson Hospital, and Dr. Mark Passarella and Dr. Robert Pritchard for their care and support during his illness. The family will receive friends at First United Methodist Church in Charlottesville on Saturday, June 30, 2012 from 12 Noon until 1:00 pm. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, June 30, 2012 at the church, with Pastor Al Horton officiating. The burial with military honors will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012 at Culpeper National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of the Piedmont, 675 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 300, Charlottesville, VA 22911.