Otto Graham Jr.

Otto Chester Graham, Jr. passed away peacefully surrounded by family on September 5, 2024 at Washington Adventist Hospital in Silver Spring, Maryland. He was born on June 22, 1933 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Otto Chester Graham, Sr. and Bertha Irene Graham. He was the third of six children, and grew up alongside his five loving sisters: Lillian, Frances, Barbara, Carolyn and Virginia (Jennie) on Union Avenue in Yeadon, Pennsylvania. He was a resourceful, mischievous, and playful little boy, who made lifelong friends in Yeadon. Otto was a hardworking student who refused to give up when subjects didn’t come easily to him. He graduated from Yeadon High School and completed the first two years of his undergraduate degree as a commuting student at Lincoln University in Oxford, Pennsylvania before enlisting in the Air Force in 1953. Otto was stationed in Maine, Mississippi, and Korea and served as a radio operator and a cryptographer, earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. Using the G.I. Bill, Otto studied accounting at Howard University and graduated Cum Laude in 1960. Otto began his 33 year career with the federal government when his father accepted a position on his behalf a week after graduation. After his time at the Marine Corps Supply Activity, he worked at a number of agencies before landing at the Federal Trade Commission in 1980. He earned his Masters Degree in Management from Frostburg State University. In 1965, Otto met Andrea Diane Scott at a party in Philadelphia through their mutual friend Johnnye Ervin. He was living in Washington, D.C. at the time and Diane in Philadelphia. The two dated for six weeks before Otto proposed. As he said many times, “When you know, you know!” They were married on October 30, 1965 and both have said that marrying the other was the best decision they ever made. Otto and Diane enjoyed three years of marriage before the birth of their first child, Noelle Denise in 1968. They took her on trips to Canada, California, and aboard the Queen Elizabeth II and for almost four years lavished her with the attention to which only children are accustomed. In 1972, the Grahams welcomed Evan Jerrold and Valerie Joyce into the family, settling on Hidden Hill Lane in Potomac, Maryland. Otto took to fatherhood naturally. He was funny, engaging and pragmatic as a dad, often singing funny songs to his children just to make them laugh. Otto was also organized and disciplined, ensuring his children had strong moral compasses and learned to value their independence. He shared his deep and enduring love of family with his children, often taking them to Yeadon to visit family and bringing them to family reunions to connect with his large extended family. He was the family genealogist, carrying out the foundational research to ensure that future generations would know about our extensive roots and proud heritage. Over the years, Otto celebrated milestones and life events with joyous family parties filled with music, laughter and love. He was our guiding light and the life of the party. In 1996, Otto became “Grandad” when Dorian Irene Merritt was born to his youngest daughter, Valerie. Otto rose joyfully to the occasion of being a grandparent, sharing the gift of music, bites of his dessert, and endless wisdom with his oldest grandchild. He welcomed Noelle’s children Brittany Aaliyah Allen, Andrew Trémel Allen and Isabella Denise Allen, delighting in their company during annual family beach trips to Hilton Head, South Carolina. When Otto and Diane retired from their successful federal government careers, they set out to travel the world. Over the years, they saw the Panama Canal, the Amazon River and the Mediterranean Sea, among other wonders. They enjoyed sightseeing on Holland America cruises, reaching the esteemed status of 4-Star Mariners. Otto joined the People’s Community Baptist Church in 1994 and served as a Trustee from 1997 to 2000, serving as Vice Chairman of the Trustee Committee from 1999 to 2000. He was a member of the Gad Family Tribe. In retirement, Otto also found fulfillment through taking piano lessons and volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate working with children whose families were involved in the Maryland Family Court system. In 2023, Otto and Diane moved from their home on Hidden Hill Lane to the Riderwood Senior Living Community where they began their next chapter with new friends and neighbors. Otto Chester Graham Jr. was an exceptional man. He was adored by his enormous family - his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews sought him out for advice and aspired to live up to his example. He made and maintained lifelong friendships with people from all walks of life, including the groomsmen in his wedding, Charles Ramsey, James Roulhac, Jesse Cooke, and Joe Chapman and his dear friend and cousin Gene Eaddy, to name just a few. He was an incredible storyteller, historian, and mentor, and will be missed by all who knew him. Otto was predeceased by his parents, Bertha and Otto Graham; his sisters Barbara Golden, Frances Kelly and Lillian Garland; brothers-in-law, Edward Young, Harry Garland and George Kelly; his nieces Frances Joyce Garland and Michelle Nurse and lifelong friends Jesse Cooke and Charles Ramsey. He is survived by his wife, Andrea Diane Graham, his children, Noelle Denise Allen, Evan Gerald Graham and Valerie Joyce Graham, his grandchildren, Dorian Irene Merritt, Brittany Aaliyah Allen, Andrew Trémel Allen, Isabella Denise Allen, his sisters, Carolyn Young and Virginia Graham; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Lovingly Submitted, The Family

Tributes

Otto Graham Jr.

June 22, 1933 - September 5, 2024