Union City, Tenn.–Long-time Union City Coca-Cola plant owner and operator Richard Newell Graham has passed away. Graham was 74 and died Monday, February 21.
Graham was active in the community with membership in several organizations over the yers.
After his military service, he returned to Union City in 1972 to take on operations for Union City Coca Cola Bottling Company, where he has maintained an active role until recent years, when his son Richard, Jr. rose to a lead operations role.
He was president of Union City Jaycees in 1975, and was chairman of Chimes for Charity, which was judged project of the year for Tennessee Jaycees, and judged second in the nation at the National Jaycee Convention. Mr. Graham was president of Union City Arts Council, chairman of UTM Development Committee, a director of Commerce Union Bank of Union City, director and later Chairman of the Board of First State Bank, Director, First Vice President, and later Chairman of the Board of Meridian, Mississippi Coca Cola Bottling Company, President of CC Coin Caterers, Graham Acres, Reelfoot Ordnance LLC, CEO of Union City Coca Cola Bottling Company, Director of Montrose, Senior Warden of St. James Episcopal Church and treasurer since the 1980’s, life member of the NRA, held FFL and SOT licenses, life member of American Legion, member of the VFW, President of Coca-Cola Bottlers Association of Tennessee, Who’s Who in Finance and Industry, member of Union City Rotary Club and elected as a Paul Harris Fellow, and served on Union City Rotary Scholarship Committee for many years.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, February 25, 2022, at St. James Episcopal Church, 422 East Church Street, Union City, Tennessee, with Father Chuck McMillen officiating. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, February 24, 2022, at St. James Episcopal Church and Friday beginning from 9 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will follow the service in East View Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Eric Jordan Winkler, Blake Cheatham, Brian Ferguson, Marvin Hutchison, Rick Larson, Brent Richie, John Summers and William Waggoner. Honorary pallbearers are the members of Union City Rotary Club, members of Discovery Park of America Board of Directors, Friday Night Friends, Jeannie and Dennis Todd, John Scott, Bob Landies, Allen Nohsey, Jim Thompson, Dr. Grover Schleifer, Jimmy Jones, John Warner and Hugh Wade.
Mr. Graham was born June 15, 1947, son of the late Hardy Moore Graham and Cora Lee (Poindexter) Graham. He was a lifelong resident of Union City and Obion County. After graduating from Union City High School, he attended Ole Miss, where he graduated in 1969. While in college, he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and served as a pledge master. Upon graduation from Ole Miss, he was commissioned an Ensign in the US Navy. He served aboard USS Lexington CVT16 and on an Admirals staff in Seoul, Korea, being discharged as a Lieutenant.
He and his wife supported many local charities: Rotary Scholarships, St. James Episcopal Church, UTM Music Department, UTM Rifle Team, UTM Equestrian Team, United Way, Masquerade theater, NW Tennessee Young Life Ministries, Chimes for Charity, VFW, Discovery Park of America, St. Columba Episcopal Retreat, National WWII Museum, Ole Miss Law School and Ole Miss Fast Track Program.
Mr. Graham is survived by his wife, Bettie Rene (Young) Graham, and son, Richard Newell Graham, Jr. (wife Anna Katherine Long), and their four children, Priscilla Daisye Byrd (Eric Jordan Winkler, fiancé), Katherine Josephine Anderson, Stella Pearl McWhorter and Newell Poindexter Mckay.
He was preceded in death by his son, Stanford Moore Graham; parents, Hardy Moore Graham and Cora Lee (Poindexter) Graham; brother, Hardy Poindexter Graham.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. James Episcopal Church, PO Box 838, Union City, TN, 38281, or to a charity of donor’s choice.
St. James Episcopal Church encourages wearing mask. White-Ransom Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.