Earnest Graham Jr.

Earnest N. Graham, Jr., 76, of Casper, passed away April 21, 2020.

Earnest, Ernie, June and Okey are the names he was known to answer to. He was born December 27, 1943 in Sentinel, OK to Earnest and Winona Graham Sr. Ernie graduated from Midwest City HS, OK in 1962. He then entered the Air Force from 1962-1966 where he served during the Vietnam War. He was stationed at Forbes Airforce base in Topeka, KS where he met his wife in 1964. He married Jeannette Mergenmeier on May 29, 1965 in Seneca, KS. They lived in Kansas where they had their first son, moved to Oklahoma and shortly after they moved to Southern California where they spent 10 years and had 2 more sons. Ernie worked in the oil field starting from the bottom and worked his way up. He was transferred to Casper, Wyoming in 1978 where soon after they welcomed their daughter. Ernie had an amazing work ethic. He worked for Poole Offshore, Giberson, Ideco, IRI International, National Oilwell, CAZA and R&R Rig. For 8 years during mid 80's, early 90's he traveled internationally teaching other countries how to fix and run their own rigs. He spent a lot of time in China, South America, Africa, Russia and many other places. He stated that he went to every continent except for Antarctica. He loved to travel, and he embraced the culture and the people he met along the way. As a rig mechanic and Shop Forman, he was known as one of the best in his field and was highly respected. He retired in 2012 but still did consulting on the side. He stayed busy, always working on some home project. He loved the outdoors and he taught his family to love it as well. He was drawn to the lake, boating, fishing and camping. He would go to the mountain any chance he got and would take his 4 wheelers off for an adventure. He was extremely kind; his family and friends were so important to him. He would do anything for someone he cared about. He knew he was very blessed with a wife of 55 years, a beautiful home, 4 children, 5 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. He suffered with cancer that was fast moving but he was fortunate enough to live the life he wanted up to the end. He died in his home surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his wife Jeannette, his children Paul (Lisa), David, Audrea of Casper, WY and Earnest III (Ed) of Charlotte, NC. His grandchildren; Andrew, Christine, Katelyn, Cole of Casper, WY and Evan of Charlotte, NC. His great granddaughter Julia of Casper, WY. His brother James (Phyllis) and sister Sheryl (Ronnie) of OK and multiple nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Earnest Sr. and Winona Graham, and his brother Rick Graham all of OK.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Hospice or the VA, both of which who were so wonderful to our family during our loss.

Per his wishes, Ernie has already been cremated and placed in the Veteran's Cemetery in Evansville, WY. Services with Military Honors will be held at 12:00 PM, Saturday, July 11, 2020 at Newcomer Casper Chapel with reception to follow at the VFW on Bryan Stock Trail.

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