James Eugene ”Gene” Graham, 89, of Amelia Island, Florida, passed away on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at Baptist Medical Center in Fernandina Beach.
Born in LaFayette, Ga., he was one of the three and the last living child born to the late Walter and Exie Adams Graham. He grew up in Chattanooga, where he attended the Baylor School, was a member of the Apollo Boys Choir and in the graduating class of 1943. After graduating from Baylor he attended the University of Tennessee where he graduated as a business major. He later attended and earned his MBA from the Harvard Business School in Boston, in 1958.
His professional career began at the early age of 18 when he owned radio stations in Ohio and Georgia. He worked for and served as vice president of the Cavalier Corporation of Chattanooga and served as chairman and CEO of Medical Disposables Corporation of Marietta, Ga., before owning and serving as president of three long term care facilities in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Bradenton, Fl.
Mr. Graham was an avid and accomplished golfer and was a member of the Honors Course in Chattanooga, the Amelia Island Club, Amelia Island, FL and the Harvard Club of New York City.
He and his wife have been residents of the Amelia Island Plantation since 1993 where they were members of the Amelia Plantation Chapel.
He was a veteran of the United States Army.
Mr. Graham leaves behind his wife, Barbara Davison Graham, of Amelia Island, Fl., children, Emily G. Mingledorff and her husband, Chris of Charleston, Barbara Lee Black and her husband, Ray White of Tuscaloosa, Al., William Brian Black of Atlanta, grandchildren, Madison, Molly and George Mingledorff of Charleston, Hamilton Black of Atlanta, and several nieces and nephews.
To celebrate the life of Mr. Graham; a luncheon will be held on Monday, Dec. 12, from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Ocean Club of the Amelia Island Plantation.
If so desired, memorial gifts may be made in his honor to The Baylor School, 171 Baylor School Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37405 or to The Baptist Health Foundation, 1250 South 18h Street, Fernandina Beach, Fl. 32034.
Please share his Life Legacy and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com