James Calvin "J.C." Graham, 89, of Olton, died Friday, July 8, 2016, in Olton. Services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at the First Baptist Church in Olton with Rev. Doug Yates officiating. Interment will follow at Olton Cemetery under the direction of Ramage Funeral Directors. The family will receive friends at Ramage Funeral Directors in Olton from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., Monday, July 11, 2016.

James Calvin Graham was born August 22, 1926, in Los Angeles, CA, to Felix and Nora Judith (Gehres) Graham. Graduating from Olton High School in 1943, he attended Southern Nazarene University where he met the love of his life, Esther Marie Landtroop. They were married on August 3, 1947, in Maple, TX and spent the next 69 years together. He served in the United States Army from 1943 to 1946. A member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Olton, Calvin was the songleader and loved singing hymns. A man of few words, Calvin was wise, witty, and had a heart as big as his hands. He loved to tease and had endearing nicknames for his children and grandchildren. Often enjoying ice cream and Nestle Quik, his favorite saying was "Throw those shoulders back and be proud of yourself". Calvin's proudest accomplishments in life were raising the family he loved so dearly and being a dedicated farmer and good steward of the land. With God's help and Calvin's determination, he had just celebrated 32 years of sobriety.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Benjamin Graham, and a daughter, Diana Graham Jones.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Esther Graham of Olton, a son, Steve Graham and his wife, J.J. of Olton, four daughters, Linda May and her husband, Mike of Eagle, Idaho, Rita Gregory and her husband, John of Nampa, Idaho, Debra Melcher and her husband, Mike of Plainview, and Jimmie Kay Moore and her husband, Lynn of Muleshoe and a son-in-law, Mo Jones of Olton. He was blessed with 17 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials be made to the Olton Cemetery Association P.O. Box 1055 Olton, TX 79064, Olton Volunteer Ambulance Association P.O. Box 1087 Olton, TX 79064, or the charity of your choice.