Sammy Joe Graham: El Paso, Tex
1972 – 2024
Sammy Joe Graham (US Army, Ret.), age 52, of El Paso, Texas, passed away on May 13 in Colorado.
Born Jan. 22, 1972, in Loris, he was the son of the late Charlie Arthur (C.A.) Graham, Jr., and the late Lillie Mae Hodge Graham Miller.
He served his Country with honor and integrity with more than 28 years of service before retiring as a Major in the United States Army.
Mr. Graham was a 1990 graduate of Loris High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1991. He proceeded through ranks E-1 to SSG E-6. He then was accepted into the Army’s Green to Gold program-the Officer Program at Clemson University ROTC. He completed his Bachelor’s in Science/Biology Teaching in three years at Clemson University. After which, he completed his Master’s in Health Services Administration at Armstrong Atlantic State University.
Mr. Graham was appointed cadet Captain Clemson University ROTC Corps of Cadets, Distinguished Military Student of Clemson University, Clemson University Army ROTC Robert C. Edwards Award-Outstanding Military Proficiency, US Army ROTC Advanced Camp-Most Outstanding Cadet, Member of Honor Platoon, Physical Excellence, and member of The National Society Scabbard and Blade.
He returned to the U.S. Army as Lieutenant (0-1) and progressed through the ranks to Major (0-4) before retiring in 2023. During his military career, Mr. Graham served three terms in Iraq. He received many medals, honors, and awards of Distinction and Distinguished Service such as, The Order of the Saint Maurice, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award), Army Commendation Medal (7th Award), Army Achievement Medal (3rd Award), Army Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award), National Defense Service Medal w/Bronze Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal (3rd Award), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, NCO Professional Development (2nd Award), Army Service Ribbon, Over Seas Service Ribbon (4th Award), NATO Medal, Holland 4 Days Cross March Nijmegen, Expert Infantry Badge, Combat Medical Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge. Unit Awards included Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Superior Unit Award (2nd Award), and the “One shot, One Kill!” Award.
Mr. Graham also competed and won several European-Army wrestling titles in Freestyle and Greco for his weight division.
Following his extensive and distinguished military career, he began his dreams of traveling and hunting. His most enjoyable activities were traveling, hunting, and vacationing with his beloved daughter, Molly.
He dearly loved his hometown, Loris, and competed in the clucking contest. He won the title several times.
Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Molly Elizabeth Graham, and her mother, Lacey Streat Graham, of Georgia; his sister, Linda C. Tyree, of Whiteville; his brother, Ricky Dale Graham (Chip), of Chadbourn; his half-sister, Carolyn Parks, of Virginia; and his half-brother, Tony Larue Graham (Sandra), of South Carolina.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Graham was preceded in death by his half-sister, Ritze Forrester, of Virginia.
Funeral services were planned for 2 p.m. Saturday, June 1, at Hardwick Funeral Home, with Rev. Darrell Graham officiating.
Committal services, with Military Honors, were to follow at Graham West Cemetery, Wigley Road, Loris.
Visitation was planned for the hour preceding services in the funeral home.
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